The figure reflects a determination to force down the tax increase whilst ensuring high quality core services are provided. It will be achieved by maximising efficiency and ensuring better ways of working. The challenge is particularly tough because East Sussex has received the worst government grant allocation of any county council for next year.
At national level the government grant increase amounted to an average of 6 per cent for local authorities but East Sussex has only received a 4.1 per cent increase. This is made up of £11.7 million – of which £10.2 million has to go to schools. This leaves an increase of just 0.6 per cent or £1.5 million for all other services including transport and social services. The money needed to maintain current services next year (after allowing for inflation and existing commitments such as waste disposal and social care) is £15.6 million.
"We are being tightly squeezed by service pressures and the raw deal from government,” said Lead Member for Corporate Resources, Tony Reid, "We have lobbied hard for a fair deal from Nick Raynsford, the local government minister and will continue to do so. If we had simply received the average grant increase of other counties we could have kept our council tax increase to below 3 per cent.
"We feel we have no choice but to propose that we limit the increase in council tax to 4.5 per cent. We believe we can still largely avoid damaging cuts in services but some cuts will be required. We would like to see a lower increase especially for older people on pensions and those with fixed incomes, but the demand for services, including from the elderly, is rising rapidly.
"We are able to limit the increase despite the poor settlement from government through increased efficiency, prudent planning and better ways of working. We are endeavouring to ensure we deliver high quality services vital to the people of this county but at minimum cost possible.”
Councillor Tony Reid concluded, "It is really important that we help our residents understand the issues and the difficult choices ahead; not just for next year but over the medium term.”
Reference:
04/435/RK
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