Southend could lose at least £5million of Government cash if the census figures for last year stand up, with the council, fire service, police and family doctors all being hit.
According to census returns, the town has lost 16,000 people compared with the estimated figure.
Town clerk George Krawiec told the cabinet meeting: "We were gob smacked and believe it is impossible to lose nine per cent of the population."
Published Wednesday October 16, 2002
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