The Liberal Democrats do love a good fairy story.  Their leaflets tell half truths and their letters to newspapers are full of entertaining conspiracy theories.  It's a shame that they don't devote all the time they waste on political spin promoting the best interests of the people of Essex.

Conservatives made a Manifesto pledge in the June elections to transform the services of the County Council and to save £200 million.  The best place to start that process is by looking at our own political support and asking councillors to do their own political research.  Conservatives have just one party political researcher for 60 councillors and the Liberal Democrats have one for 12 councillors.  If we can manage without why can't they?

All other officers that seem to excite Cllr Williams so much work for the county council to deliver services and would be necessary regardless of who is in administration.  Representation on the Waste Management Advisory Board is decided by the Administration and whilst Lib Dems do not have a place they are welcome to attend the meetings as an observer.

Perhaps Cllr Williams can tell us why so many of the Liberal Democrat Group on the County Council receive a special responsibility allowance and what they do for the extra money?

My advice to Cllr Williams and his Lib Dem colleagues is worry more about saving council tax payers money and less about what you can get out of them.  It’s a simple equation, one party political apparatchik or an additional teacher, two dinner ladies or reduced council tax.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Tracey Chapman

Chief Whip and Cabinet Member for Environment & Waste