As the squeeze on funding from central government continues, East Sussex’s spending plans for the year ahead see a cut of £18 million. This brings savings made by the council over three years to £67 million. The council agreed £366 million of net spending for 2015-16 and pledged to focus on protecting the vulnerable, boosting economic growth and helping people to help themselves. Council tax will be raised by 1.95 per cent to protect key services, an increase of 44p a week for a band D property.
Around two thirds of the authority’s spending goes to children’s services and adult social care, including £50 million on care and support for older people, almost £45 million on learning disabilities and £35 million on supporting children and families. Other budgeted spends are £27 million on the environment and £22 million on transport and highways. In addition, £139 million will be ploughed into one-off projects, including schools, libraries and measures to stimulate the local economy. [Source: East Sussex County Council]