A COUNCIL has been slammed by one of its own former leaders who believes government money should be spent differently in order to benefit residents who have been “eating dust for four years”.

Maldon District Council confirmed it has received a total of £474,000 for the 2023 to 2024 period from the Government's New Homes Bonus (NHB) scheme.

The council has used the NHB so support general revenue expenditure within the council.

However, this has caused some controversy and one councillor believes the funds should be used for “much needed infrastructure”.

Former council leader Adrian Fluker, ward member for Southminster, said: “Following an explosion in new-build housing our residents in Burnham, Southminster, Maldon and Heybridge have had to suffer massive disruption to their lives, including light, noise and air pollution and basically eat dust for four years.

“Rather than spend the money on much needed infrastructure like some other councils, Maldon is spending the money propping up its own finances, and is planning to do the same this year.

“Whilst the council isn’t doing anything wrong, I think the residents who have been most affected should be made aware of this and on their behalf I will continue to push to get some of this money spent on local infrastructure”.

The council has been impacted by the rising levels of inflation and has expressed its commitment to delivering a range of services to residents.

A spokesman for Maldon District Council said: “The Government recognises that the financial position of the authorities such as Maldon District Council ‘must be understood in the round’, and therefore the council’s position is that NHB should be considered as part of the overall funding available for council services.

“The council debated and agreed its budget for 2023/24 in February, which included the use of NHB to support general revenue expenditure and is currently working on its budget for the next financial year.

“Maldon District Council, like many local authorities, faces significant financial challenges including continued high levels of inflation and a growing population, and therefore has to use its resources effectively to ensure it can continue to deliver a broad range of services to local residents, many of which it has a legal obligation to provide.

“The council is committed to working with developers and partners to ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to support new developments within the district, including the use of developer contributions to fund assets such as roads, footpaths, cycleways, schools, health centres and playgrounds, and these are already starting to come forward on the developments.”