Council tax debate

Tuesday's pre-Christmas cabinet meeting was a gloomy one. Members voted to release the authority's draft revenue budget for consultation.

Cllr Gubby, also a county councillor, reminded members that of all the shire counties, East Sussex had received the worst, the second worst and the worst grant settlements over the past three years.

Quoting a Daily Mail story, he said that for every 1 local authorities in the south spent, the Government provided another 1. But northern authorities received 3 pounds for every 1 they spent.

"When we compare ourselves with other authorities, we are the authority with the lowest tax base of any in East Sussex."

Recalling how Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford had warned him personally last year that he would cap any authority exceeding the Government's five per cent limit on Council Tax increases, he said Rother was also under Government pressure to increase income. But when it sought to raise parking and allotment charges it came under public criticism.

Rother wanted to provide good services but lacked the reserves to subsidise them.

The Government was allowing local authority growth of only 2.5% per year over the next 10 years. Yet utilities were putting up charges by 13%, construction costs were up over 11% and labour up six per cent.

Cllr Gubby said he was determined that despite this difficulties, Rother would work to improve the quality of its services and plan for the future.

"It is a tough challenge. But I am sure when we come back to review this budget in the New Year we will be able to set out a programme to satisfy the demands of the public and government."

Supporting the move to publish the worrying figures, Cllr Stuart Earl said he believed the public deserved to be told just how difficult it was going to be for Rother to make decisions.