Colchester Council sees itself in a no-win situation over whether or not to bid for city status.

It runs the risk of being criticised either for wasting money on an unnecessary bid or for failing to take pride in the town if it decides against going for the rare honour.

And members of the policy and resources committee on Tuesday will be the ones to make a decision.

Members will be told that in a questionnaire on city status in the council-run newspaper The Courier, there has been 28 votes for it while 51 said no.

Colchester Economic Forum and North East Essex Business Partnership want the council to go for it.

A common theme behind not going for the honour was said to be because residents were proud of the town's unique status as Britain's oldest record town, there would be no advantage to residents and putting together a bid would be a waste of money.

But those in favour say the town deserved city status by merit of its historical and cultural importance, it would give a higher profile, boost civic pride and might boost inward investment and tourism.

Committee members will hear that if they decided to go ahead with the bid, it would need to be supported by and possibly submitted in partnership with the key agencies in the borough.

It was estimated that putting together a modest bid would cost up to £12,000, no budget had been allocated and that it would have to be completed in nine weeks by the closing date of September 1.

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