Essex County Council will be allowed to spend more on buildings and roads - but is unlikely to take advantage.
A change in funding rules from next year will give councils the freedom to decide how much to spend on capital projects like major new roads, new schools and building children's homes.
However Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex County Council, doubts that the council will spend much more because it will still be responsible for finding the money.
He said: "We anticipate the levels of capital spend will be somewhat similar to what they are now."
Published Friday, August 1, 2003
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