Budget is passed at reconvened meeting a week after Storm Eunice postponement
West Sussex County Council’s portion of the council tax bill will rise by 2.99 per cent in April – an increase of more than £45 on a Band D bill.
It was approved during a meeting of the full council last Monday, alongside the budget for 2022/23.
The rise will be made up of a 1.99 per cent general increase plus an additional one per cent dedicated for adult social care.
It will take County Hall’s share of an average Band D bill to £1,555.74 – £4.26 per day – up 87p per week on last year’s bill.
This does not include the precepts from Sussex Police and the relevant district and borough councils.
As for the budget, it allows for revenue spending – the day-to-day costs of running the council and its services – of £648million, an increase of £23.5million compared with 2021/22. A five-year capital programme – money for large or one-off projects – of £755million was also approved. It includes £21million to invest in the road maintenance programme over the coming years.
Jeremy Hunt, cabinet member for finance, said: “Through this capital programme we continue to invest in the county’s infrastructure – not only for the benefit of the current generation but also for future generations to come.” He thanked Katharine Eberhart, director of finance, and her team for their ‘sterling work in ensuring that somehow we continue to find the necessary revenue to meet the increasing demands of our services whilst at the same time presenting a balanced budget’.
Labour and Lib Dem amendments were defeated.
Both parties called for a sizeable drop in the special responsibility allowances received by some councillors, and both included money for road safety improvements and support for carers.
On top of that, the Lib Dems asked for money to be spent on an additional mental health support team for schools and a specialist team to work with schools and families to prevent eating disorders. To cover the costs, reductions in a number of back-office budgets – such as HR, executive PAs and communications – was proposed, along with the removal of advisers to cabinet members.
The Labour amendments included the hiring of a number of new officers. One suggestion was for a BAME community outreach officer for the fostering service, while another was for a sustainable transport officer to help with decarbonisation by accelerating sustainable travel and transport.
As well as calling for a cut in allowances, the group said £11,000 could be saved by ending the catering service offered to councillors.