A blueprint for the future of Eastbourne over the next decade will be discussed tomorrow.

Almost £160,000 has been spent producing the Borough Plan, which is being presented to members of Eastbourne Council's ruling Cabinet.

The latest instalment includes modifications to the document, which governs the council's planning strategy for the next ten years.

Included are policies on housing, transport and encouraging town centre trade.

Dinah Elliott, local plan officer, said producing the document had placed a serious workload on council officers.

She said: "The borough plan has been prepared in just over four years, from the council authorising work to commence in July 1999.

"However, it should be noted the preparation of the plan placed significant strains on the development planning section and the inquiry, in particular, was only achieved as a result of staff goodwill and out-of-office working."

Confirmation of the money spent on the plan comes after the council's recent revelations it will have to shave about £600,000 from its theatres, parks and gardens and tourism budgets.

Council leaders blamed poor Government funding for the decision to rein in spending.

Members of the Conservative opposition agree. Colin Belsey, deputy leader of the Tories, said: "The plan is necessary but in these times when Eastbourne's coffers are not exactly running over, it makes you wonder if Government knows what it's doing."