£5m sought to balance books in East Sussex

Financially-struggling East Sussex County Council has revealed plans to make savings of £5.1 million to deliver a balanced budget in 2019-20.

In November, the authority announced it needed to save more than £45 million by 2021-22 having publicised its Core Offer document, outlining a list of services it could provide as a ‘bare minimum’. Although the council received government funding to take care of things like social care as part of its help package, David Elkin, the council’s lead member for resources, said estimates for the next two years still show a £21.2 million deficit.

The proposals, to be considered by the council’s cabinet on 22 January, also include decisions about spending £375 million on vital services. East Sussex County Council councillors will also be asked to consider an increase in council tax for next year, of 2.99 per cent, the equivalent of 80p extra per week for the average household in the region.

Among the additional funding to have an effect on plans for 2019/20, is money from the 75 per cent business rates retention pilot, and an additional £4.4 million for social care.

Elkin said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure central government understands the specific financial challenges we face in East Sussex, and we welcome the additional funding which we will use carefully as we plan the next three years. We still have to make some difficult decisions to deliver a balanced budget in 2019/20 with a careful eye on our planning for the following two years which will be a time of uncertainty and continued financial challenge.

“We know there’s a real strain on many people in East Sussex and this additional money, and our own careful management, gives us the opportunity to minimise cuts to services and the impact on our residents next year.”