Bid for Clean Air Zones in Essex rejected by Conservatives

At the Essex County Council budget meeting, Liberal Democrats identified spare cash stashed away in the council's accounts and proposed the following projects for spending.

• £4 million extra for minor highways schemes across Essex
• £2.5 million for Public Health, to help reduce youth suicides, tackle smoking related illnesses and improve mental health
• £350,000 for the Youth Service, to help young carers, lunch clubs and outreach work
• £250,000 to help 16-18-year olds from low income families to get to college
• £250,000 to help reduce fly tipping
• £12,500 to enable street lights to be left on if recommended by local police
• £22,000 to develop a plan for solar panels on County Council property

They were rejected by the Conservative majority.