Mid Sussex District Council respond to latest Burgess Hill Town statement

Hillians fans at The Green Elephants Stadium | jpimedia

Mid Sussex District Council have said 'we cannot afford to help everyone unless we ourselves are helped' in response to the latest statement from Burgess Hill Town.

After an initial statement from the football club's chairman Kevin Newell saying the club was at risk because the council would not give them a rent freeze.

But the council responded to explain why. This response was called 'disingenuous' by Newell.

And in the latest response ,Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, Deputy Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said: “We have already reached out to the football club following the public statement they issued yesterday but there are obviously still matters that they would like to discuss with us, so we will be contacting them on Monday to arrange further dialogue.

“Many people assume that we are funded purely by Council Tax but Council Tax payments actually cover just 16% of the cost of providing council services.

"We need finance from many other areas in order to keep our services running and rental income is one of those areas.

“We pride ourselves in taking a fair and consistent approach to all occupants of council buildings, whether that be a football club, leisure centre or a small shop.

"These are difficult times for all, including local councils, and we cannot afford to help everyone unless we ourselves are helped.”