Southend Council chiefs made a desperate plea on television last night to secure additional funds for the cash-strapped town.
Appearing on ITV's London Tonight, Howard Briggs, leader of the council, and Verina Weaver, cabinet member in charge of social care, spoke of the decisions facing the council over its £4million budget shortfall.
Households face either a 22 per cent increase in council tax - an extra £177 a year for the average householder - or a cut in services.
Residents have been asked to choose through a special consultation.
His comments came hours after Essex County Council revealed a probable rise in council tax of 4.7 per cent, at the cost of making 100 people redundant.
Published Wednesday January 21, 2004
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