Councillors of all political parties united at Rochford District Council to condemn the Government for the amount of cash it has received over recent years.

Despite an increase this year, Rochford still receives the 14th lowest amount per head of population of any authority in the country and the lowest in Essex.

Members agreed next year's budget which means a local increase of nine per cent in council tax.

However, this figure will be closer to 15 or 16 per cent when the increases from Essex County Council and the fire and police authorities are added.

Council leader Peter Webster (Con, Whitehouse) said: "I do not believe the people of Rochford are the 14th richest in England.

"This increase is only being forced on us by central government."

David Flack (Lab, Hullbridge) said: "We do not have very much discretion on what we spend and where we spend it."

Chris Black (Lib Dem, Down Hall) said Rochford had suffered financially at the hands of central government for years.

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

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