A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bridge the vastly unfair Government funding gap between Essex and London.

David Finch, leader of the county council, says London funding of £563 per person as opposed to Essex funding of just £193 per person is simply not right.

Mr Finch firmly believes funding which councils get to run a wide range of services, including transport, should be more equitable.

Launching #FairDeal4Essex, Mr Finch said: “We want a fair deal so that we can deliver our organisation priorities for our great county.

“We want to enable inclusive economic growth, help people get the best start in life and age well, and help create great places to grow up, live and work.”

Gazette: Home Secretary Theresa May

Call - Mr Finch has asked for a fairer deal with Theresa May's Government

Mr Finch said funding for council services beyond 2020 is unclear because the Government has shelved a scheme to allow councils to keep 100 per cent of business rates from 2019.

Mr Finch said the project, part of the Local Government Finance Bill, which has been dropped, would have allowed councils to plan ahead.

Instead, Mr Finch called councils to make their views known to Government as it commences its Fairer Funding Review.

He added: “There is so much more we want to do and could do if Government gave Essex its fair share of national resources, and trusted and empowered us to make more decisions locally.”

Mr Finch made his views known as the council launched its vision for the future of Essex over the next 20 years.

The “Future of Essex” has enlisted the help of 50 Essex organisations to promote the council’s bid to transform the county.

Mr Finch is also chairman of Essex Partners, a countywide partnership of senior leaders from across a range of public sector bodies, universities and the voluntary and community sector.

Launching the project he said: “The Future of Essex unites us.

"It sets out the kind of Essex we want to live in.

"It outshines and surpasses short-term plans and focuses on the big things that matter to all of us.

"Its purpose is to give the many different communities, groups and businesses in our fine county a unique way to plan our future.

It takes our pride in Essex and channels it for the good of everyone.”

The project was launched with a video made with the help of 75 Essex people.

It features fishermen, lifeguards and horticulturalists.

The council says disparity between affluent and poorer areas means some are not benefitting from Essex economic growth.

Mr Finch said: “We will harness the Essex spirit and its people – our boldness, our cheek, our loyalty and fierce independence - and make it contagious, embrace the new and celebrate our differences.

"We will create a county where every single person has the support, the opportunity, and the self-belief to fulfil the promise of their potential and we will do it together.”

David Finch's Gazette column in full 

What would you think if I told you that because you live in Essex, the Government doesn’t think you are worth as much as someone who lives in London?

You’d be outraged.

Unfortunately, that’s not too far from the truth.

If you live in Essex, the funding which councils get to run services for you adds up to £193 per person per year.

That pays for roads, schools, social care, transport, parks, libraries and more. All the things people and communities depend on and enjoy.

If you live in London, the average funding leaps up to £563 per person, more than triple what an Essex resident receives.

I’m outraged about that.

In Essex, with our partners from the County Councils Network, we are launching a campaign and will be lobbying our MPs, along with ministers, for a #FairDeal4Essex It’s being supported by other counties who find themselves and their residents in a similar position.

In Essex, we want a fair deal so we can achieve our Vision for the County (see facing page) which is what we want our county to become for residents and businesses over the next 20 years.

We want a fair deal so that we can deliver our organisation priorities for our great county.

We want to enable inclusive economic growth, help people get the best start in life and age well, and help create great places to grow up, live and work.

We also want to change how we work at the council so we can deliver the best value for money for your council tax.

But the future of funding for council services after 2020 is unclear.

County councils were due to receive 100 per cent of locally-raised business rates from 2019 – this is now in doubt after the Local Government Finance Bill was dropped from the Government’s agenda.

This would have enabled us to plan for social care, housing, new roads and infrastructure. Instead, we may have to reshuffle our already stretched resources.

However, the Government has re-committed to a Fairer Funding Review, something we must help influence.

There is so much more we want to do and could do if Government gave Essex it’s fair share of national resources, and trusted and empowered us to make more decisions locally.

We want to drive prosperity for everyone in Essex and if the Government increased our funding to bring us in line with our far richer London neighbours, then we could achieve so much more.

It’s time for change, it’s time the Government gave Essex a fair deal.