AS many as 100 Basildon Council jobs are likely to go to help the borough cope with Government grant cuts which will leave it £2.3million short.

The council says it will have to cut about a tenth of its workforce by March 2012, to help balance the books.

It has been told it is to get 16.6 per cent less from the Government next year than it did in 2011/11. Taking into account cuts already made or planned, it will now need to cut a further 6.4 per cent from its budgets.

Chief executive Bala Mahendran said: “We are facing a significant financial challenge.

“However, as a council, we have a great track record of delivering efficiencies and managing such challenges, while continuing to improve services and moving forward with regeneration projects which will benefit the whole borough.”

Council leaders hope some staff cuts can be achieved by not filling vacant posts.

The council is holding sessions this week to explain the situation and the need for cuts to its workers.

Tory council leader Tony Ball said it had already made savings two years running in anticipation of the lean times ahead.

This had included reducing staff numbers, by not replacing workers who left and farming out grass cutting to private contractors earlier this year. As a result, £200,000 had been saved.

Mr Ball said the council would also be working with other local councils and authorities to look at more ways to save money by share staff and services.

However, he would not rule out further job cuts.