Wednesday 12th April, 2023
Colchester City Council Cabinet discussed the achievements and challenges ahead during a meeting held at the Town Hall on Wednesday.
This was the first time and End of Year report was presented to the Cabinet. The idea was to prepare any incoming administration after the local elections next month.
The report was led by Chief Exec Pam Donnelly. She stated that the concept of an end of year review was new to the Council. It provided an opportunity to look back at the achievements and also to look ahead to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming administration.
She stressed the importance of the review given the changes that had taken place as a result of the pandemic and the challenges faced by the public sector.
Donnelly congratulated the Council for achieving a balanced budget, despite the difficult financial conditions.
She also acknowledged that this had come at a heavy price, as the Council had to save £5m and use up £2m of reserves, which was not sustainable:
“The budget was a very difficult process. It’s quite an achievement to look at the progress we have made. The financial conditions have been the most difficult we have faced.”
She also mentioned the pressure on corporate buildings and the budget gap of £6.95m, which was more than a quarter of the Council’s budget.
Donnelly highlighted the delivery of homes for people in need and the progress made in building new council homes. She also mentioned the work that was underway with the leisure park at Northern Gateway and the priority placed on the environment.
Donnelly noted that the Council had done a lot to support those in the community who were vulnerable and that Colchester’s reputation as a City of Sanctuary had been upheld by supporting refugees:
“The Cost of Living crisis has been a challenge. We are proud of the work we have done with our partners. We have done a huge amount to support those in our community who are vulnerable.”
Donnelly mentioned that over £40m had been brought into the city centre as part of the levelling up program. She said the Council is working collaboratively with Essex County Council as Team Colchester.
She emphasised that new priorities needed to be set in the post-pandemic conditions and that the City Centre Masterplan was moving very fast.
Donnelly expressed concerns about the Council’s subsidiary companies but noted that a recovery plan was in place and an Interim MD had been appointed.
She acknowledged that there was a lot going on and that the new Senior Leadership Board was in place, generating £200,000 of savings. The Council was evaluating the roles of the leaders and none of these jobs were at risk.
Donnelly emphasised that the services for the modern city would look very different, and residents would need to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean and tidy.
She noted that the Council needed to reinvest in corporate services and strengthen them, as they had become diluted.
Finally, Donnelly mentioned the need for the Council to enjoy Colchester and maintain perspective, despite the bleak financial future:
“We have an impressive Year of Celebration coming up. This included the visit of His Majesty the King. The place is going to be buzzing with opportunities to see change. We will see plenty of cranes! We have to become use to these. The future of Colchester is bright, despite the financial challenges.”
Deputy Leader of the Council, Labour’s Cllr Adam Fox, congratulated the Council for the achievements made. He also highlighted the challenging years ahead.
Cllr Fox emphasised the engagement work that had been done and how it had helped to transform how the Council delivered for residents and businesses.
He also spoke about the revitalisation of the city centre and the opportunity provided by gaining city status to showcase Colchester:
“We have transformed how the Council delivers for residents and businesses. The engagement work we have done has helped to form that. We’ve looked at revitalising the city centre. Gaining city status gives us the opportunity to show off Colchester.”
Liberal Democrat Cllr Mark Cory emphasised the importance of continuing with the end of year review.
He acknowledged that the Council had faced complexities with austerity, Brexit, and COVID, but had kept its ambition.
He noted that the opposition Conservatives had been positive and that being challenged was good. Cllr Cory emphasised that together, they could achieve a lot:
“We’ve also been a little different to other cities in Essex. I understand the positives that come with being a city. Government changes have hurt us really badly. But the opposition Conservatives has been positive.”
Labour Cllr Julie Young said:
“We’re doing well in delivering with our housing aspirations. We’re making good progress in delivering new council houses. But we know an avalanche is coming our way in the need for housing.
We have 285 people in temporary accommodation. This isn’t great. We aren’t complacent. It’s a job well done, but there’s more to be done.
The community supermarket is going to be very exciting for my ward of Greenstead. We are meeting the needs of people in poverty. We can look to the future and better support those in need.”
Her party colleague Cllr Pam Cox said:
“It’s been a very busy year and super challenging. We have made progress on housing, the cost of living and restructuring. There is so much more to do. In terms of heritage and culture, the city status has been a huge boost. I thank Cllr Darius Laws for putting that together.
The City of Celebration year is still evolving. We need to align the legacy of city status and regeneration. We need to pull together in one direction. It’s a very exciting time for Colchester.”
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