A consultation on Essex County Council’s budget is now open. Residents and businesses can share how they think the County Council’s 2025/26 £2 billion budget should be spent.
The council is also asking for views on the key issues facing the county. Responses will be used to shape services and plan for the future.
The budget consultation survey can be completed online and closes on Monday 9 December 2024.
Across the UK households and businesses, are financially feeling the strain, including councils. With the change in government and the financial climate, councils face even more challenges because:
• more people need our services and support each year
• the costs of providing services has increased – partly due to inflation, and partly as a result of changes in the law
For Essex, the cost of goods, materials and services across the organisation have driven £160m of growth over the last 3 years.
More than half of the council’s budget is intended to be spent on adult and children’s social care.
Other key areas of focus proposed are:
• funding for essential services
• investment in the county’s roads, infrastructure, libraries, school buildings
• future growth
Councillor Chris Whitbread, the Chancellor of Essex, said: “The council has a strong track record of financial management, having saved £1 billion since 2008.
“However, we must look to do things differently in this economic environment. Innovation, honesty and collaboration will be key moving forward as the council looks to do more with less.
“You can help shape how we respond to the current uncertainty and to the pressures we face and are very keen to hear from you.”
