At Southend Borough Council’s budget meeting, its 31 councillors unanimously voted to donate up to 10 per cent of their expenses directly to youth services.
Councillors take home a basic expenses deal worth about £8,000 a year, with cabinet members receiving about £18,000.
But despite the gesture, the Conservative-controlled council voted through £15.48m worth of cuts over the next financial year, including £3.36m across children and learning services and £6.44m across adult and other community services.
Of the 178 posts at risk of redundancy, 71 are currently vacant. A further £26.5m worth of cuts are expected by 2015.
Council leader councillor Nigel Holdcroft said: "I am particularly disappointed that our reduction in funding means we must also lose jobs at the council.
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