Cuts in council services 'inevitable'

Conservative Cabinet member Cllr Tony Ganly, of Ewhurst and Sedlescombe ward, said: "We are going to have to make savings and some of those savings are going to affect services.

"I find it difficult to see us providing exactly the same services in future. We are going to have to tighten our belts, like everyone."

And Cllr David Vereker, of Darwell ward, called for the Community Grant Scheme, also on the agenda at Monday's Cabinet meeting, to be scrapped, saying: "I just wonder when these savings are going to start.

"When are we going to get on with cutting? Some of the sums involved here are piffling amounts which could be raised with a bit more effort from the community."

Lib Dem leader Cllr Sue Prochak, Salehurst ward, agreed there were: "difficult times ahead."

"I think one of the biggest things is the saving we have already made of 300,000, by not replacing staff who move on. That must have an impact on services," she said.

"But I'm very confident in (chief executive) Derek Stevens' work and our senior management in taking our staff with us."

Leader of the council Carl Maynard said: "We have to be honest with the general public that things aren't going to be easy.

"But this council has a mantra we will continue to repeat - we will help people to help themselves."