‘Our political opponents are right to say that potholes are not the priority of the Essex County Council Budget. People are, and we think if they stop chasing votes for five minutes and think, then they will agree that’s how it should be.

Essex County Council aren’t just responsible for roads and pothole repairs. Most of the council tax we pay goes to helping elderly and disabled people in our community with care packages and support. The cost of care has been rising, and the number of people needing care is increasing. They come first over potholes.

Essex County Council are also responsible for education and child social care. Every school in our Borough receives support from Essex County Council. The number of children who have diagnosed special educational needs in our schools are rising and many more children and their families are needing support with issues to do with mental health. They come first over potholes.

Castle Point Council may collect our household waste, but Essex County Council disposes of it. These costs have been rising as well, as well as the costs of running local facilities like libraries. Essex County Council are also providing direct support to families struggling most with the cost of living and supporting many other charities and organisations in our community to do so as well.

There is extra money for potholes and footway repairs in the budget though, with another priority repair scheme funded that local county councillors will get to direct in their own areas.

When you look down your street, you may see some potholes, but what you don’t see is the support that Essex County Council give to people and families behind front doors every day. Support they rely on to live their lives as part of our fantastic local community. Potholes are not the priority of this Essex County Budget, people are and really, that’s the way it should be.’