Since forming the CPBC administration in May 2022 we have transformed the council to run more efficiently and overhauled 20 years of neglect and mismanagement to run more effectively and efficiently.  The savings we have made have allowed us to pass the savings on to our residents. There is a cost-of-living crisis, and whilst it is a national problem that affects everyone, by not increasing the council tax for Castle Point residents for the next year we hope this goes some way to help families facing the challenges caused by the economic factors. The zero per cent increase will also help offset the increases that Conservative run Essex County Council, Fire and Police are imposing on residents, by raising their portion of Council Tax by up to 5.5%.

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What are the main cost saving initiatives you have introduced?
In our Transformation initiative we have worked with The Local Government Association (LGA) to establish the number of layers of management that CPBC needs to achieve a more streamlined structure to be more efficient. We have restructured the council in line with LGA report and realised savings of around £1/2 Million per annum.
After the forthcoming elections in May we will see a new once every 4 year councillor election cycle which brings us into line with the majority of other UK local councils.  Previously elections were 3 years out of every 4 years, where 1/3 of councillors having to seek re-election. Our residents consultation was in favour of this move, and this will save the council £240,000.  
We recently approved the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy, or ‘CIL’.  Members, we, Castle Point Council have lost out on up to £8m in the last 10 years as the previous administration did not implement it.  We are pleased CIL has now been adopted and will see much-needed funds added to make improvements to our borough.

Won’t you have to cut services?
No. This budget has all services continuing or it will see improvements in conjunction with the transformation program with absolutely zero loss of CPBC services throughout the next municipal year.  You may see the Conservative ECC cut services they provide to our borough again, as they did last year.

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Will you be using council reserves to fund your budget?
No. The general reserve is maintained well above the minimum recommended level set by the relevant officer. The reserve in 2024/25 will be higher than in the 2023/24 municipal year.

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Is it a balanced budget and is there a funding gap forecast in future years?
This is a balanced budget which has closed a funding gap of £1.2m which was the result of the immense deficit left by the last Conservative administration. We have also significantly reduced the budget gaps forecast for future years and with the transformation program underway we are on course to fully close these gaps.

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Will there be a reduction in capital spending?
No. After taking control of the council in 2023, we very soon realised that the council and its assets had been neglected over the last 20 years.  The council needed more than just a housecleaning exercise.  This council needed a complete restructuring to repair years of neglect.