All news items regarding underspends are delivered in a standard way.

For example:

“Thurrock Council has received a welcome cash boost after the end of year account showed an under-spend.

In spite of an additional £3.15 million spending on children’s health and social care, continued growth in Thurrock’s population and a number of unexpected pressures on public services, Thurrock Council under spent on its day-to-day (revenue) budget by £568,000 in the 2008/09 year the council’s cabinet was told on Wednesday (17 June) evening.

The figures showed the council spent £109.1 million in the April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 financial year, £568,000 less than had originally been budgeted for.

The money has now been transferred into the council’s reserves to help meet the cost of providing future services to cater for any unexpected contingencies.

Speaking after the meeting, Council Leader Cllr Garry Hague said: “We have all been working hard over the past year to ensure the council provides those front line services that are important to residents.

“Budgets for children and young people and the vital support for our older generation are highly unpredictable. However, we have been able to control our budget and meet the additional costs of providing these services.”

There are always two ways of looking at “Council Underspends” or indeed ” Council Makes A Profit” especially when groups start to emerge and claim that they have had their budgets slashed.

YourThurrock spoke to Deputy Leader Amanda Arnold about the underspend and the ramifications for Thurrock residents.

To be continued….

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