COLCHESTER Council services are to get a £16,000 boost - thanks to two of the authority's new cabinet members.

As portfolio holders, Lib Dem Theresa Higgins and Labour's Tina Dopson would have ordinarily been entitled to claim £16,000 a year.

However, with employment and other responsibilities taking up some of their time, each has decided to forego half of their allowance, with the savings going to frontline services.

The disbandment of the council's innovations panel has also provided further savings.

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