Council tax is set to be hiked above the rate of inflation in Southend.

Southend Council is analysing new Standard Spending Assessment figures - but has warned the Government is unlikely to give it enough in grants to cover its spending next year.

It means taxpayers will have to make up the difference to ensure the council is not forced to cut vital services.

The provisional SSA figures detail the amount of cash the Government thinks each authority should spend to maintain services.

The figures form the basis of Government grants to local authorities. Last year Southend Council was awarded £151.5 million. This year it is set to get £159.148 million - just under £8 million more, but not a large enough increase for the council to continue its level of services.

In addition, the Government has ruled set cash amounts must be spent on some services such as Education. Education funding in Southend will be boosted by about £5 million.

Although good news for schools, the amount limits how the council can spread its allocation between other services.

Charles Latham, Tory leader of Southend Council, said: "We are analysing the figures but it does appear that authorities such as Southend are going to be hit very hard by the Government's proposals."

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