A FRESH ten per cent government grant cut means Colchester’s front line services cannot be guaranteed, a council boss has warned.

Over the last three years, the coalition government has reduced its funding for local authorities by around 25 per cent as part of attempts to cut its deficit.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for resources, said last week’s spending review announcement of further 10 per cent cuts had forced his finance team to find a further £1.2 million in savings.

He said the council was already considering the closure of Abbots Activity Centre, and warned other tough decisions would have to be made to balance the books in 2014/15.

See Friday's Gazette and Essex County Standard for the full story.