East Sussex County Council News Release PR 2704
County agrees lowest council tax increase for 14 years
For Immediate Release 9/2/2010
The lowest council tax increase for 14 years has been agreed by East Sussex County Council.
The Council approved a rise of 2.7% for 2010/11 at its full council meeting this week (9 February).
The increase for a Band D Council Taxpayer means a rise of less than 10p per day, bringing the total bill for County Council services in 2010/11 up to £1,158.
A budget of £337m has been agreed for 2010/11 which is an increase of £9.3m (2.8%) on the previous year. The budget for 2010/11 includes £171m for older people and other adults’ services, £74m for children’s services and £60m for roads, transport, environment and waste.
Deputy Leader Tony Reid says that the County Council has a huge challenge ahead to deliver quality services with tightening budgets whilst at the same time keeping a lid on council tax.
“Year on year we’ve brought down rises in council tax and we’ve done it again this year,” said Councillor Reid. “Our residents – many of whom are elderly and on fixed incomes - are still suffering from the effects of the recession so it’s extremely important that we keep their bills as low as we can.
“The recession means that our budget situation will get a lot tougher – especially after next year and beyond. This will mean that we have to look at delivering services in a different way or we may have to stop doing some things altogether. We’ll be talking to our 1900 strong, Residents’ Panel to gauge what’s important to local communities and providing information to everyone through the Council’s website and residents’ magazine ‘Your County.
“The tough financial outlook means that it’s even more important for us to continue with our prudent approach to budget management. In the last eight years, we’ve saved over £40m and we’re looking to save a further £60m over the next four years. Some savings have already been identified for 2010/11.”
The Council also agreed an additional £3.6m one-off fund, the majority of which comes from careful budget management in 2009/10. The funds will be spent on priorities including an extra £1m to mend pot-holes, £900,000 to support the increase in referrals in children’s services following the Baby P case, £750,000 to support the introduction of free personal care (if that scheme comes into place) and a further £250,000 for the recession fund to help residents and businesses to fight the effects of the credit crunch.
A capital programme amounting to nearly £480m for 2010/11 to 2014/15 was also approved by the County Council. However, Council chiefs were quick to point out that the programme is heavily reliant on bids for Government grant.
