Councillors and officers have acted swiftly to quash fears that Castle Point jobs and services could be cut to save cash.
They were speaking as they prepared for tonight's meeting to approve the council's statement of accounts for 2002/3, and wanted to counteract major worries over money problems.
Castle Point Council's director of central services, Michael Clayton said: "The accounts show that in 2002/3, net spending at £9,571 million, was within budget by £566,000.
"General Fund reserves at March 31 this year stood at £1.7million, and with the Housing Revenue Account, the budgeted surplus was £226,000, but the actual surplus was £431,000.
"This means the performance was better than the budget by £205,000."
He praised his staff for completing their accounts so early.
Council leader, Councillor Pam Challis said: "It is pleasing that the out turn is well within budget.
"However, we are still in the first two months of this council administration.
"We will want to look at these results in detail because they do seem to suggest that budgets might have been excessive to start with."
Published Monday, June 30, 2003
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