ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL IN THE TOP TEN FOR OUTCOMES FOR RESIDENTS

IN a recent survey of 150 councils Essex County Council came seventh out of 150 councils for spending money most effectively and getting the best outcomes for residents.

The survey by iMPOWER, an independent consultancy that focuses on delivering better public services, was developed to show which councils are the most productive – achieving better outcomes for residents from a less-than-average spend per head.

The results show that Essex County Council has improved its productivity, moving from 23 place in 2017 to seventh in 2018. The results are drawn from performance measured against six different areas: children’s social care, older people, disability, health and social care, housing and homelessness, and waste and recycling. Each council is scored for productivity and is ranked accordingly.

Cllr Louise McKinlay, Cabinet Member for Finance, Commercial and Traded Services, Essex County Council said: “Local government is still facing incredible financial pressures, so we need to carefully account for every pound spent while at the same time, providing the best possible services and improving people’s lives as a result.

“So it is a welcome independent endorsement of our approaches, which recognises Essex for the way we offer value for money as well as serving residents well.

“We are proud of all of services, but we still have tough choices to make over the coming months as we move toward setting our budget for 2019/20. But Essex residents are at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to take the right decisions for them in order continue to offer services which lead to better lives.”