Cutbacks to Colchester Council services could be made to meet a £1.4 million shortfall. Councillors will begin juggling the 2005/6 budget on Monday in a bid to keep council tax rises down.

Earmarked for the snip are "expensive" planning consultants, grounds maintenance, highways work and non-priority services.

Members of the cabinet will consider whether the identified areas should be included in the revenue budget forecast.

On the proposed savings, leader of the council John Jowers, said: "You can't spend 21 bob if you have only got 19 and sixpence.

"We can't have Rolls Royce services across the board. We haven't got the money. We can't do it.

"We are trying to be as sensible, pragmatic and realistic as possible but we won't skimp on frontline services."

Mr Jowers has pledged to keep next year's council tax rise below this year's 7.2 per cent.

Cash pressures which have to be met include an estimated £500,000 pension fund deficit and £512,000 for inflation.