COUNCIL chiefs in Great Yarmouth were confident they would be able to stem a �2.75m funding black hole without cutting back frontline services.At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, member for resources Cllr Stephen Ames, said the council could save all but �600,000 of the projected loss through a range of cost-cutting measures, including a jobs freeze, cutbacks on repairs and maintenance and setting staff pay rises at 1pc or less.

COUNCIL chiefs in Great Yarmouth were confident they would be able to stem a �2.75m funding black hole without cutting back frontline services.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, member for resources Cllr Stephen Ames, said the council could save all but �600,000 of the projected loss through a range of cost-cutting measures, including a jobs freeze, cutbacks on repairs and maintenance and setting staff pay rises at 1pc or less.

The council is looking at all options to close the funding gap after being hit by increased demand in services and falling incomes following the recession and looks to cut spending by 25pc ahead of an expected drop in government funding.

Cllr Ames said: “The financial team is confident they can reduce the shortfall to �600,000. The important thing to say is that we are confident front line services will not be affected in any way.”

Broadland Council has also been hit by the downturn- taking �800,000 out of its reserves to plug a spending gap.

Yarmouth has also decided to write off �400,000 it lost following the collapse of the Icelandic banks last year, where it had �2m tied up - adding to the pressures.