Essex County Council has announced its draft budget and organisational plan for next year, which includes significant investment in services and infrastructure across the county.
A key element of the budget is a £5million fund which has been proposed to enable further action on climate change and an independent commission to oversee this work.
An extra £5million has also been pledged for highways to improve the condition of roads and pavements, as well as new investment in technology to support adults and children’s social care, and more money to help meet increased demand for home to school transport.
For the second year running, more than £200 million has also been proposed for capital investment, including housing schemes, major infrastructure improvements such as the A127 Fairglen interchange, and new schools for children with Special Education Needs and Disability.
The overall financial picture across the public sector remains challenging, with the county council’s future revenue support and social care grant from central government uncertain.
This has led to a proposed ECC council tax increase of 1.99%, alongside a continuation of the Government’s social care precept of 2%.
A spokesman for the council said: “We have an important role in ensuring we strike the right balance between investing and protecting the services residents told us are the most important to them and achieving good value for money. We are confident that our draft budget reflects this.“
Find out more about the draft budget proposals and what they mean for you.
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