THIS is the time to look ahead to what will be a momentous year for the country, and for Thurrock.

Whatever happens at the general election on May 7,we can be sure it will mean the turnout at local elections on the same day will be much better than usual.

Regardless of the outcome, we know Thurrock will be facing another major spending cut. I want to assure everyone we will all be working hard tomake sure local people receive the best services possible under those difficult circumstances.

The council has worked really hard over to protect frontline services, but you can only cut so much before it starts to bite and we are at that stage now. Put simply, the amount the Government gives us for services will reduce by another quarter this year. We’ve been warning about this for years, but it took news of these cuts to make some of our partners realise the seriousness of the situation and engage with us – they’re certainly engaged now.

In more positive mood, our amazing plans for local housing will start to come to fruition, with Gloriana planning and building affordable homes for the private sector, while more council-owned family homes are also being built.

Suitable homes for local people– whether social/council rented, privately rented, or bought – are the bedrock of family life.

A comfortable and affordable home creates the conditions for people to thrive.

Next week, the director of planning and transportation and Iwill be at the Parliament, giving direct verbal evidence to back up our written submission to the Select Committee looking into strategic river crossings.

The introduction of free-flow tolls seems to have eased congestion southbound, as we said it would, but there are still issues for traffic heading across the Thames to Thurrock.

The main thing we hope to highlight, however, is the inability of the Government and bodies, such as Transport forLondon, to co-ordinate plans with interested parties, such as Thurrock Council. That’s basically our new year message to everyone – talk to us, let us know your problems and ideas, so we can work to find compromises.

I don’t promise to please everyone, but I promise during 2015 I’ll do my utmost to help find the best possible deals

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