Cuts across the board are being considered to balance Colchester Council's books.

Investment in non-priority services, such as sports and environmental health, will be cut as the council concentrates on other key areas.

Football pitches at Old Heath Recreation Ground will also be axed, although one is being saved.

At the same time, parking charges will soar to raise an extra £100,000.

Earlier this week, the council announced a 7.2 per cent rise in council tax.

People with second homes in the borough will also be hit. Until now they received a 50 per cent council tax discount on their properties but that will fall to just ten per cent raising £175,000 for council coffers.

But the council still expects to be in a "difficult financial position" over the next three years as it struggles to find extra cash to pay for staff pensions.

Published Thursday January 22, 2004

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