Next year, Essex County Council will spend over £2bn. We provide many essential services and infrastructure including schools, roads, children’s social care and adult social care.

The new Government wants change in how we do things. We need to be honest about what we can achieve. Rising cost of materials and more complicated issues being faced means that money doesn’t go as far as it used to.

We have to make difficult choices about spending and savings. As we shape financial plans for delivery of services in 2025/26 and beyond, we want to hear from local people about their views and values.

We would like to hear your views about:

· the big issues we face and the challenges that lie ahead for County Council services.

· the things that concern you and your family; and

· where we should focus resources as we work to improve lives across our county.

To help us understand your concerns, the County Council seeks your opinion via an online budget consultation, which closes on Monday 9 December 2024. To complete the survey, click on: budget consultation survey

Finally, if you have any problems with services in the Constable County Division, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Regards,

Cllr Lewis Barber

County Councillor,

Essex Constable Division