West Sussex County Council have confirmed their final budget, which includes a 4.99% increase in council tax.
There will be a 1.99% direct increase in council tax and the additional 3% will go towards adult social care.
The rise puts the County Council element of a band D council tax bill at £1,510.56 - an increase of £71.82 per year.
Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said, “Raising council tax is not something we do lightly, and we are extremely conscious that many people may be struggling financially at the moment.
“However, the alternative would be to cut essential frontline services which our residents rely on.
“Now more than ever we know that people need the services which local government provide so we will continue to look for ways to make efficiency savings, whilst still providing these vital services.”
Meeting yesterday (12 February), West Sussex County Council confirmed the budget for 2021/22 would include a further investment of £22 million, with a particular focus on Adult’s and Children’s Social Care.
The total annual budget amounts to more than £600 million for the day-to-day running of the council.
Councillor Hunt said this will not only support local residents, but also allow the county to prosper in the future.
The council also approved a ‘Reset Plan’ which sets out its key priority outcomes over the next four years, with a focus on learning from the response to COVID-19.
More information about the council’s plan can be found here.
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