Michael Gove is giving Thurrock Council the green light to raise c ouncil tax by at least eight per cent. Where does this leave residents like myself and others?

I know that it has been a massive struggle to pay Council Tax since we are in a cost of living crisis.

Even with council tax reduction, it still doesn't cut or help to reduce the costs. I have council tax reduction applied to my account and if I'm honest, I'm still paying £30 a month - I know other residents are probably paying more. The point I'm making, no matter what is applied, services are being cut and we're all paying for it!

Council Tax is being paid for Essex Police's service to keep us safe in Thurrock but they're nowhere to be seen patrolling the streets. The way the system works, it needs to be reported and then from there, it determined whether it needs to be attended too. ASB in certain areas is rising but yet no police to see for it.

Why is Michael Gove allowing Thurrock Council to raise the tax in the borough?

The residents within the borough are paying for the council's mess; something that we didn't create. The people that created the debt are no longer in Thurrock.

We residents shouldn't be made responsible for the mess the Council have got themselves into.