Published 21st February 2020

Budget headlines

·       This is a budget that invests in the people who need it most, that delivers sustainable improvements in services to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable children.

·       This is a budget that delivers investment on core priorities – housing, the environment and our roads and pavements.

·       This is a budget that does not cut any services.

·       Council tax increase is sadly necessary to make sure we can cope with the increasing demand on adults and children’s social care, now and in the long term.

Conservative proposals

·       The Conservative amendment proposed changing just £120K out of a £350mn gross revenue budget.

·       ‘Free parking’ is a red herring – they are proposing making a tiny number of bays free. It won’t boost the High Street but may well add to congestion in residential streets as people try to avoid paying for parking.

·       We would have been happy to accept the Police funding proposal (and may still pursue this) had they presented that as a stand-alone item. However, there is scepticism that the figures add up.

For more information, including comments from the Leader of the Council, Labour’s Ian Gilbert, please see the Southend Borough Council website.