WSCC set to discuss plans to save £24m from next year’s budget

Detailed plans to save £24million from next year’s budget have been revealed by West Sussex County Council. Reduced core Government funding and increased pressures in areas such as adult social care and children’s services have left the authority facing a large revenue shortfall.

Next year it is proposing a 4.99 per cent rise in its council tax precept, which includes two per cent purely for adult social care services. The increase would see bills for homes in Band D rise by more than £65 a year from £1,317.78 to £1,383.57.

The council has already agreed to cut £600,000 from the Local Assistance Network, £1.7m in housing-related support and £300,000 to bus subsidies in 2019/20.

The entire list of budget saving proposals, totalling £24.1m, are detailed in papers due to be discussed by the council’s performance and finance select committee tomorrow (Thursday January 17).

Committee members from all three parties will be able to raise questions and give any comments which will then be considered by Cabinet at a meeting later in January ahead of presentation of the final budget to county council for approval.

Pieter Montyn, chairman of the committee said: “Like many local authorities, West Sussex County Council faces unprecedented financial pressures. Funding from central government is being cut and there is increasing demand for services, including children’s and adults’ social care.”