Gloomy prediction on Council Tax

ROTHER'S share of your Council Tax bill could rocket by as much as 15 per cent next year, early indications have forecast.

The district council is predicting another poor revenue grant from central government next year, which accounts for some 57 per cent of its funding.

Added to low interest rates and cash already earmarked for service improvements next year, the council thinks it could find itself with a shortfall of 652,000 which it will have to claw back through council tax increases.

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Even if it saves 291,000 by slashing planned service improvements and other budget items, taxpayers could be faced with an 8.5 per cent hike.

It would be the third inflation-busting tax increase in as many years. Last year the Rother portion of the tax bill was increased by 11 per cent and before that a whopping 26 per cent.

Despite the huge increases Rother still charges council tax payers less than any other local authority in East Sussex. The Rother portion makes up less than 15 per cent of the final bill, with the rest going to East Sussex County Council and a small percentage to the Police Authority.

Director of resources Pav Ramewal stressed the forecasts are only a very early draft, based on a number of assumptions. For example, the government is yet to announce indicative figures for local authority grants. Mr Ramewal said the draft budget was likely to change as and when more information comes to light.

In a report to Rother's cabinet, he said: "This report provides broad indications and the likely shortfall against which cabinet will be able to set its budget options for consultation."