An all-party delegation will lobby Government minister John Hutton next week for more cash to help fund social services in Southend.

The plea for more money comes as Southend Council faces another potential funding crisis next year.

Early predictions have already suggested the council could be looking at an overall funding shortfall of £3.9 million between this April and March next year.

Social services has been plagued with financial problems ever since it was taken over by Southend Council almost two years ago.

Previously Essex County Council spent more than the Government recommendation - known as the SSA - for social services in Southend.

Efforts were launched by the borough council in April 1998 to save £1.36 million from the budget when it took over the service. Measures introduced included a 70 per cent increase in home care costs and higher meals-on-wheels charges.

On top of that, the council closed three old people's homes amid public outcry because they did not meet modern standards.

Just last month, higher home and day care fees came into force following more increases in social services' charges.

Council leaders have now decided it is time to lobby the Government for help.

Chris Dandridge, executive councillor for health and social care, announced at a cabinet meeting this week that there will be an all-party visit to social services minister John Hutton - a former Westcliff High School for Boys pupil - next Monday.

Mr Dandridge, Labour councillor for Victoria, said: "We have become convinced that our SSA for all social services is inadequate.

"No matter how much we try to get to that level, we feel we will never quite get there."

Mr Dandridge added: "We would not expect to get a response from the minister at that meeting.

"However, we hope he will give our present situation some serious consideration."

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