At Full Council on Tuesday 11th October Essex Conservatives outlined their plans to help residents with the cost of living and to balance the County Council’s finances during difficult financial pressures.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Chris Whitbread, revealed the hard choices facing the Council which is not immune to rising inflation, costs of materials and services and interest rates. Like most local authorities Essex has some hard decisions to make to deliver a balanced budget. Conservative-led Essex County Council always remembers that the Council is funded through public money, ‘the people’s money', and they are trusted to manage the council’s finances efficiently and effectively.
However, despite these financial pressures Essex Conservatives are committed to delivering their Everyone’s Essex plan and to help the most in need. For example, successfully creating new jobs through its social value programme; building new roads, junctions, and schools to high environmental standards; investing in and rebuilding local libraries; delivering outstanding children services and supporting the most vulnerable adults in our communities.
Deputy Leader, Cllr Louise Mackinlay, unveiled ECC’s cost of living crisis plans which will provide targeted support to the county’s most vulnerable. This includes the £9.4 million Household Support Fund which will provide £4.2m for food vouchers for children in school holidays and £3.2m for food vouchers for pensioners. Whilst the £1.3m Essential living fund provides help including general living expenses for those on low incomes.
To assist with the energy crisis the Council is investing £17m in helping households improve their energy efficiency. Whilst, distributing £600,000 from the Warm Homes Grant to help residents with energy efficiency.
On the ground, the Council is working closely with community organisations to roll out support including the Community Winter Warmth and Welcome Programme which includes a grant scheme to enable community groups to access small grants to put on activities and supporting food banks and other food support groups through the Household Support Fund.
The discussions at full council highlighted the significant task ahead for the council, ensuring that Essex weathers the storm, maintaining its record of having strong finances whilst delivering the services which matter most to local people, and supporting the most vulnerable through tough times.
