Tough financial times for West Sussex

WEST SUSSEX has been hit hard in the pocket by the Labour government.

The county council has been given a 1.5 per cent increase in government grant towards its services, compared with an average four per cent for all county authorities with the highest at more than seven per cent.

County council leader Henry Smith said early analysis of the figures showed the increase in cash terms was just under 1.5 million, and would mean an extra 3.5p per resident a week towards front-line services.

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He said: "It is the eighth year running that West Sussex has been given the lowest possible grant.

"Once again, we will make the strongest possible representations, but we have done this for the last seven years so I do not hold out any hope that we will be listened to this time round."

Mr Smith said that despite the grant settlement '“ towards all services other than schools '“ the county council was working to deliver a 2.5 per cent council tax increase next year.

"That would be the lowest increase since the council tax system started in 1993.

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"Had we received the highest level of grant increase, we would be looking at a council tax rise of just one per cent next year.

"The only reason we have been able to mitigate council tax levels, and maintain front-line services has been our own efficiency savings currently standing at 40 million year on year.

"At the heart of this review is a 'do more for less' philosophy," he added.

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