Work must start soon on implementing a scheme to spend a possible £15 million of European aid aimed at tackling Southend's jobs and deprivation crisis, councillors were warned.

If plans are not made now, the town could lose out on cash it will be entitled to under the Objective Two initiative which officers spent more than two years vying for.

Hundreds of residents in the poorer areas of the borough are expected to benefit from the cash which will be invested over seven years.

The money will be aimed at regenerating the area by helping small firms expand, providing more jobs and training, setting up more community facilities and adding to Southend's culture and heritage.

Southend is one of four areas in the east of England to be recommended for the new Objective Two status.

Though it still has to be rubber-stamped by the European Union, chief executive and town clerk, George Krawiec, told the cabinet meeting on Thursday night that he was "99.9 per cent certain" Southend would get the cash.

Members were told that the council needed to ensure sufficient resources were in place so that Southend could start running projects as soon as it was given the green light.

The authority has been advised to set up a department of four staff all set to deal with the significant amount of paperwork and auditing which will go alongside the handover of such a significant amount of Euro cash.

The cabinet agreed to just over £115,000 being used to pay the salaries of these workers.

Executive councillor Nigel Baker, (Lib Dem, Prittlewell) said: "The money must be spent to a target. We must have the staff in place soon in order for the scheme to be successful.

"This money is going to make an enormous difference to this town and we must be fully prepared to take maximum advantage of it. We have to find enough schemes to absorb all the cash offered."

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