How would you spend more than two billion pounds?

Essex County Council has an annual budget of £2.2 billion. As part of the budget consultation which has started, the council wants residents to show how they would divide it up amongst the services the council provides.

Essex County Council has an annual budget of £2.2 billion. As part of the budget consultation which has started, the council wants residents to show how they would divide it up amongst the services the council provides.

The idea of the Budget Maker is so people in Essex can balance the budget and submit their suggestions to the County Council. It is hoped it'll demonstrate the pressures facing the council and give residents an idea that in order to increase spending in one department, funding has to be removed from another.

County Councillor Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council said, “I would encourage all residents to go online and have a go at creating a budget which is practical and affordable. Any suggestions will be looked at to help the council set the budget for next year.”

Peter Martin added, “Essex County Council has embarked on a £300 million saving scheme, and this exercise will help us support that. It is important for us, as a council, to understand what residents feel we should be spending our money on.”