Top Thurrock councillors agreed a series of savings proposals at Wednesday (10 November) evening’s meeting of the cabinet.
But several suggestions were delayed until the December meeting (8 December) for further consultations and discussions to be held.
Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, said: “Some of the proposals for adult social care are in the midst of a detailed public consultation and we can’t make any decisions until that process is complete.
“In addition, overview and scrutiny asked for time to investigate alternatives for our plans for the libraries and to reconsider the proposal to end Impulse Leisure’s grant over a couple of years.
“We have taken both suggestions seriously and therefore we are withdrawing both from tonight’s meeting.
“Although I can’t go into detail at the moment, I can say we are examining several different and innovative ways forward for libraries and for Impulse; ideas that I am confident will make the savings we as a council need while maintaining most — if not all — of the services the public want.
“Detail will be forthcoming in the next few weeks as the talks we are holding at the moment reach a conclusion.”
He added: He added: “Because we have worked hard in recent months and prepared for what is to come, I am confident we will be able to deal with the cuts that are being forced upon us. There will be impacts, there will be hurt and there will be upset, but I think we are well on the way to minimising them all.
“Considering the in-year cuts we were forced to take and that while, over the past ten years council finances rose by a third they’re now being cut by the same amount in just three years, Thurrock is in a better place than many other authorities.”
He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to publically thank members, staff at all levels and the public as a whole for the way they have come up with ideas, implemented proposals and discussed options in such a positive way. Without that, I hate to think where we would be.”
whilst i fully understand that the current climate means that difficult decisions have to be made i was saddend to read about the money for the PCSO’s being cut.
I can only speak for the grays south area but the PCSOs have made a great difference in that area and become valued members of the comunity as well as recognisable faces for residents to approach ect.