Lowest government grant in East Sussex for Rother

ROTHER has received the lowest Government grant of all five councils in East Sussex.

Town Hall officials have found out they will only be given a 0.5 per cent increase on their settlement for 2009/10 and the same again in 2010/11.

It represents a 4.5 per cent cut in real terms, based on current inflation.

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If spending was to remain the same, it would mean an eight to nine per cent jump in Council Tax.

It gives rise to the possibility of cut backs to keep tax increases down.

However Rother say 'efficiencies' achieved in their services will limit the increase to no more than five per cent.

An increase above that level could also be subject to the 'capping' limit set by Government.

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It is expected Rother will continue to have the lowest Council Tax level of any authority in East Sussex.

Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard said: "This Government seems committed to ensuring that more of the burden of paying for local services falls on local people.

"We at Rother are conscious of the need to ensure the services we provide are delivered in a way that clearly demonstrates good value for money and the fact we will be able to absorb a significant part of the effective increase in Council Tax is a testament to the work that has been carried out so far.

"There are, however, limits to how much efficiency can be achieved and we will continue at both local and national level to press Government for a fair settlement for local councils."