Evaluation voted down by Essex Conservative councillors

In a motion put down on Tuesday at Full Council, County Cllr David Kendall stressed the important role that Essex County Council should be playing, as a community leader, in supporting those badly hit by the economic downturn - in practical terms and through partners.

He asked for a proper evaluation and measurement of initiatives, and requested support and increased funding for valuable organisations, such as Credit Unions and Citizen's Advice Bureaux. [The much publicised 'Banking on Essex' project had made only 10 loans totalling £290,000, with start-up and marketing costs of some £400,000.]

The Tory Leader, Cllr Peter Martin, responded by saying that although he agreed with the spirit of the motion, he would be opposing it because it does not recognise the tremendous efforts made by Essex County Council about a year ago to help businesses. The motion was lost.

Cllr Kendall said:

"I am very disappointed that the Conservatives running Essex County Council were unable to support this motion. I was simply trying to ensure that economic schemes such as 'Banking On Essex' were subject to a full evaluation process to determine whether they should be cut back, stopped or extended. I believe that members of the Council, and most importantly our residents, have a right to know that these schemes are delivering against their objectives and providing good value for money.

"Sadly the Tories chose to put political dogma first, before openness and transparency."