Essex County Council Launches Local Democracy Drive

Brooks Newmark welcomes Essex County Council pilot project to encourage members of the public to become more involved in local decisions. Essex County Council today launched a pilot project to encourage members of the public to become more involved in local decisions.

The scheme will allow residents in Bocking South and Bocking Blackwater to decide for themselves how £50,000 of the County Council's money should be spent in their neighbourhood.

Welcoming the project Brooks Newmark said "I am in favour of anything that promotes 'direct democracy.' I am delighted that the Council has chosen Bocking for the trial run and I am sure that it will be a great success. The scheme may involve £50,000 of Council funds but it is important to remember that it is the public's money and it's a sound principle that local residents should determine how it is spent."

Ideas on how to spend the money will be discussed at a public meeting on Sunday 11th February before a ballot in the week of the 19th February and a final announcement on the 5th of March.

Brooks said "I am intrigued by the ideas that Bocking residents might come up with and I look forward to hearing some of the suggestions. My constituents often tell me that they want more control over the ways that their money is spent and now some of them will have their chance. Perhaps the Government could take some lessons in democracy, accountability and transparency from Essex County Council by giving us all more of a say in how our money is spent."

For more information on the project call John Symonds on 01245 430 097.