Ambitious plans to almost double the size of Essex’s economy to £60 billion were unveiled today as Essex County Council’s budget was approved by members.

Councillor David Finch, leader of the council, said raising levels of qualifications and skills, improving transport infrastructure and supporting business growth were crucial to creating a prosperous and healthy county.

Full Council today approved the budget 2017-18, including the implementation of the Government’s 3 per cent social care levy, which represents a 65 pence a week council tax increase for residents living in an average Band D property.

Mr Finch said: “We already spend more than £1.4 million a day on adult social care and the number of people over 85 who need care is set to grow by 50 per cent in the next decade.

“So we have decided to implement the 3 per cent levy to raise an extra £17 million to support our most vulnerable people, while continuing to lobby government for a wholesale review of the system to create a sustainable care system for future generations.”

The Leader highlighted how despite the funding challenges – including a £44 million reduction in funding from Government - the budget includes spend of £1.8 billion on public services and a £263 million capital spending programme, the largest in the authority’s history and a £39 million increase on last year.

The budget also includes:

• £524 million on adult social care

• £127 million on children and families

• £668 million on education and lifelong learning

• £233 million on highways, infrastructure and public transport

• £92 million on health

“Over the last four years this administration has kept Council Tax low to support all our residents, especially those who are just about managing,” Mr Finch said.

“We’ve invested £191 million in extra school places – 26,000 new places by 2025 – and 91 per cent of schools are now classified as good or outstanding, up from 70 per cent four years ago.

“We’ve also invested £681 million in improving transport infrastructure and defects on major routes are at a record low and among the best in the country.

“On top of that we’ve helped protect 443 properties against risk of flooding and aim to protect 2,300 homes by 2020; pledged to build 1,800 new homes that enable older people to live independently for longer; paved the way for three new Garden Communities to meet the county’s housing needs; and brought superfast broadband to more than 75,000 homes.”

Mr Finch set out four key priorities to “secure Essex’s future”.

“Our first priority is to turn Essex into an economic engine room, by boosting the economy from £33 billion to £60 billion by 2025,” Mr Finch said.

“We want to enable people to live independently for as long as possible and deliver care to society’s most vulnerable people as and when they need it.

“We will help create great places to live and work by giving local communities more power to shape decision-making, including the £1 million Sustainable Communities Fund for local people and groups to inspire change.

“Our fourth priority is to deliver sustainable public services that are not only high quality, but provide value for money well into the future. In an increasingly competitive world, we want Essex to speak with one voice and punch above its weight where it really matters.”

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Finance, added: “It is necessary and laudable to manage today, but it takes courage, inventiveness and resilience to create the future. This council will continue to create a better future for the residents and businesses of Essex.”