THE Castle Point show may not go ahead after the council announced it could be scrapped to help balance its books.

The popular summer event at Waterside Farm, which was attended by about 6,500 people last year, is on a list of 19 possible cuts to help the council make £1.9million of savings in the next two years.

The council believes getting rid of the show could save £10,000 per year.

But exhibitors have been left outraged the annual event could be axed.

Paul Moss, chairman of the Castle Point Transport Museum, regularly takes his charity’s historical buses along.

He said: “It would be a shame because it was a really good event last year.

“It’s the one time in the year for charities and other organisations to let residents know what they’re all about.

“It would be sad to lose something like that because it brings the whole community together.”

Other savings on the list, which was discussed by councillors in a behind-closed-doors meeting, include slashing £40,000 from the borough’s Citizens Advice Bureau, saving £75,000 by closing all public toilets, and saving £700 by cancelling the Waterside Farm fireworks display.

All 19 of the cuts are discretionary spending, which means they are services the council does not have to provide, unlike waste and housing, which are compulsory.

Canvey Island Independent Party councillors walked out of the meeting as they believe the savings can be found by dipping into the council’s reserves and reducing the pay of senior officers.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independents, said: “My argument has always been why do you have to start at the bottom, what about council chief executive David Marchant’s salary?

“They have got more than £2million in their reserves, why not use that?”

But, Jeffrey Stanley, Conservative councillor for finance, said: “I think Dave Blackwell has completely misunderstood the purpose of this meeting.

“We weren’t asking anyone to make decisions.

“It was a shame the independents walked out because it meant Canvey wasn’t represented.”

The council’s cabinet will meet later this month to consider the range of the cuts.