A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bridge the vastly unfair Government funding gap between Essex and London.

David Finch, leader of the county council, says London funding of £563 per person as opposed to Essex funding of just £193 per person is simply not right.

Mr Finch firmly believes funding which councils get to run a wide range of services, including transport, should be more equitable.

Launching #FairDeal4Essex, Mr Finch said: “We want a fair deal so that we can deliver our organisation priorities for our great county.

“We want to enable inclusive economic growth, help people get the best start in life and age well, and help create great places to grow up, live and work.”

Mr Finch said funding for council services beyond 2020 is unclear because the Government has shelved a scheme to allow councils to keep 100 per cent of business rates from 2019.

Mr Finch said the project, part of the Local Government Finance Bill, which has been dropped, would have allowed councils to plan ahead.

Instead, Mr Finch called councils to make their views known to Government as it commences its Fairer Funding Review.

He added: “There is so much more we want to do and could do if Government gave Essex its fair share of national resources, and trusted and empowered us to make more decisions locally.”

Mr Finch made his views known as the council launched its vision for the future of Essex over the next 20 years.

The “Future of Essex” has enlisted the help of 50 Essex organisations to promote the council’s bid to transform the county.

Mr Finch is also chairman of Essex Partners, a countywide partnership of senior leaders from across a range of public sector bodies, universities and the voluntary and community sector.

Launching the project he said: “The Future of Essex unites us. It sets out the kind of Essex we want to live in. It outshines and surpasses short-term plans and focuses on the big things that matter to all of us.

"Its purpose is to give the many different communities, groups and businesses in our fine county a unique way to plan our future. It takes our pride in Essex and channels it for the good of everyone.”

The project was launched with a video made with the help of 75 Essex people.

It features fishermen, lifeguards and horticulturalists. The council says disparity between affluent and poorer areas means some are not benefitting from Essex economic growth.

Mr Finch said: “We will harness the Essex spirit and its people – our boldness, our cheek, our loyalty and fierce independence - and make it contagious, embrace the new and celebrate our differences.

"We will create a county where every single person has the support, the opportunity, and the self-belief to fulfil the promise of their potential and we will do it together.”