Liberal Democrats at Essex County Council have questioned Conservative claims that the budget for services for the elderly is in crisis - a claim that is not shown on the council's balance sheets.

Speaking about the claims, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats leader on Essex County Council, said:

"The Conservatives have been bleating about the lack of funding for services for the elderly for some time now. There is a problem of inadequate funding by the Labour government. However, it is an astonishing fact that they have chosen not to spend the money they allocated themselves to spend on this service.

The reality is that the Tories currently have many millions of pounds that they have stashed away in reserves. However, it seems that they would rather use the money already paid by taxpayers on other more publicity rewarding headline grabbing initiatives.

It can be no coincidence that in this coming election year, these same cash strapped Conservatives are offering to pay for services not even within the remit of the council. Local residents will have the dubious pleasure of being bribed with their own hard earned, already paid council tax."