BASILDON Council has agreed its budget for the year ahead in a bid to plug a £3million black hole.

Councillors approved a 1.99 per cent council tax hike - the equivalent to 10p a week for band D properties.

Basildon Council said its budget also wrestles with continued cuts in total Government support that has now been slashed by 64 per cent since 2010/11, when austerity measures were introduced.

The council has found another £3million in savings to balance the budget this year but will need to find more than £6million over the coming two years.

The budget was agreed by cross party members at a full council meeting at the Basildon Centre on Thursday.