Essex County Council plans to freeze its share of the council tax for the third successive year.
Proposals, which need to be agreed by full council next month, would see investments in school places, vulnerable welfare and economic growth, while also seeking to make £55 million in savings.
Like most councils we are receiving less Government funding this year compared to last year. We do not know the full impact yet as the complex nature of the new Government funding approach means we are still waiting on clarification on some of the final figures.
“Despite this I am delighted we have been able to develop recommendations which - while identifying savings - continue to ensure we provide quality, value for money services, make investments in key areas, and deliver a freeze in our share of the council tax for the third successive year."
Children help launch slow driving campaign in Islington
GO 20 was launched today in Islington, London's first 20mph borough.
Children heard from Paralympian Danny Crates on how great it is to be active, took part in a safe cycling demo with Islington Council, carried out speed checks on traffic with help from the Met and celebrated 20mph by displaying their own banners and placards.
Tfl: Average traffic speeds are less than 20 mph in London
Transport for London's latest figures state that for the first quarter of 2011/2012 the average traffic speed on major London roads for the 12 hours between 7am to 7pm was 19.33 mph and over the same period was 8.98 mph across Central London.
Children being affected by danger from fast traffic
As the GO 20 campaign is launched through events across the UK, including Islington, a survey of 1,630 children in London and the South East by Brake and partners Brain Injury Group and Specsavers reveals how children are being affected by danger from fast traffic:
Nearly eight in 10 (79%) say drivers need to slow down around their home and school
Nearly eight in 10 (78%) say they would be able to walk and cycle more if roads in their neighbourhood were safer
Nearly half (46%) say they have been hit or nearly hit while walking or cycling, and nearly six in 10 (58%) worry about being hurt by traffic when out and about
Drivers urged to slow down at start of Road Safety Week
A campaign launched at the start of Road Safety Week is appealing to drivers and authorities in London and the South East to GO 20, to bring about a 2012 legacy of safe walking and cycling.
Brake, the road safety charity, is appealing to drivers to slow down to 20mph or below in communities and calling for widespread 20mph limits in built up areas, so children and adults can walk and cycle for their health and enjoyment, and for cheap and sustainable travel, without being endangered.