Southend residents are facing their second council tax hike in three years, but the administration in charge said it had no choice.

The Labour, Lib Dem, and Independent group’s first budget has proposed a 1.95 per cent hike rise in council tax as part of its 2015/16 budget, which is equivalent to £23.40 extra a year for Band D properties.

The authority, which has swerved a Government grant to freeze council tax, said the cash will be invested into protecting frontline services.

The new authority is battling swingeing Government cuts of £11million, and ongoing funding cuts equivalent to £48,000 a day, so is also set to raise car park charges.

Independent Ron Woodley, leader of the council, said: “We really have little choice but to propose a council tax rise and I do not propose this lightly and accept that local people have also been impacted by the austerity measures, so we have done everything possible to avoid this.”

He added that raising council tax is the ‘right and responsible thing’ to do, and said that accepting a Government grant equivalent to a one per cent rise in council tax in return for a freeze would see the authority hit in future years.

His authority will also invest £3million into frontline services while a capital programme of £50million, funded largely by external grants, has also been unveiled.

In total, the council will have to cut £10.5million in 2015/16, but will use £1.8million in reserves for the next three years to avoid ‘short-term’ costs.

In another blow to residents, car park charges plus pier admission (working on figures) are set to go up to generate income for the council - £245,000 and £45,000 per year respectively.

A total of 38.1 full-time equivalent roles will be cut from the council, but 16.8 are vacant, meaning that around 20 employees are likely to have the axe fall on them.

Other savings will be made from re-jigging existing procedures, moving around departments, and re-negotiate contract.

Mr Woodley added: “If we do not do the things suggested in these proposals then we will be looking at stopping a number of services that residents value and rely on. “Whilst I accept that there are elements of this budget that will not be popular, it delivers the major savings required whilst maintaining and even investing in our core front-line services that will keep the streets clean, look after our vulnerable people and ensure that we remain a competitive and popular tourist and business destination.”