COUNCIL tax will only rise in line with inflation for the next four years in Essex, according to council leader Lord Hanningfield.

The council has also pledged to cut its spending by a third in the next three years through a combination of cuts, efficiency savings and privatisation.

Lord Hanningfield has insisted that front line services will remain unaffected but the sheer scale of the cuts, which amount to £300 million, has alarmed opponents.

Lib Dem and county council opposition leader Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes criticised the lack of consultation.

He said: “Our concern is with the way this has been carrying on. It's a gross abrogation of responsibility not to be able to have a more informed discussion before just giving cabinet responsibility.

“There are big problems but why haven't we been having a major discussion with council staff?”

Harlow, Nazeing and Roydon MP Bill Rammell said: “Unfortunately the Conservatives who control Essex County Council are showing the same relish and delight when talking about cuts in services as their Parliamentary colleagues. There is no way the county council can cut its expenditure by a third without causing havoc to the front line services it provides. Care services for the elderly, the road system and our local library services could all be at risk by such a dramatic cut in spending.”

Lord Hanningfield admitted that the jobs of some council employees would be at risk.

He said: “There might be a few less people filling in forms, but there will be more social workers caring for people and probably the same number of people employed overall.

“We only get the same money as everyone else. We’re just trying to do things differently and make these savings.”