Essex CC this week announced what it claimed was the ‘largest savings target in local government history' – £300m by 2012. The county's leaders believe they can save almost all of the cash, which equates to one-third of its net annual budget, through its modernisation programme, designed to join-up services, prevent duplication, and ‘streamline' other services. The figure represents an increase by £100m on the previous savings target announced in 2008 – and is also accompanied by a commitment to restrain local council tax increases to inflation rates, or below, for the next four years – and a promise not to cut frontline services. Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex, said: ‘Raising our savings target to £300m shows our commitment to delivering value for money for Essex residents. ‘Essex is leading the way nationally when it comes to modernising the delivery of local public services.'
