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ANOTHER POOR GRANT SETTLEMENT FOR WEST SUSSEX |
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Written by coder
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Saturday, 02 December 2006 |
West Sussex residents have suffered another raw deal following yesterday's poor grant settlement from the Government to help pay for front-line services delivered by the County Council.
The County Council remains one of the worst funded of all 34 English counties.
Steve Waight, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: "We are not surprised. Once again, the Government's distribution formula is benefiting other regions more than the South East, which is at the bottom of the pile.
"It brings into even sharper focus the efficiencies and savings which the County Council has been making, and will continue to make, so that we can develop key services and keep council tax affordable."
Final details of the settlement have still to be analysed in detail, and will now form the basis of planning the County Council's budget for 2007/08.
But, the key statistics so far are:
The West Sussex grant increase of 2.7% is the equal lowest among the 34 counties. The average rise nationally for authorities is 3.8%.
Whilst we receive an increase of 2.7%, the best funded county, Dorset, receives a rise of 9.5% – more than three times the level of our increase.
The West Sussex grant rise of £2.1m compares with £11.5m extra needed in next year's budget simply to keep up with inflation.
The settlement means that West Sussex has received the lowest possible grant rise for the fifth consecutive year.
A final decision on council tax levels for next year will be taken by the full County Council at its meeting in February.
Mr Waight said: "We are looking to keep any council tax increase as low as possible. "
The settlement has also been criticised by County Council Leader, Henry Smith, who said: "I expect our residents are getting pretty fed up with hearing us say what a raw deal we receive from the Government.
"However, it is a fact that local authorities in many other parts of the country enjoy much more substantial support per head of population than we do.
"Once again we will make our feelings known at the highest level, but at the same time we are determined to ensure that services do not suffer and that in many areas they are enhanced.
"That is why the recent review we launched into every aspect of the way the County Council does business is so important.
"It is a radical overhaul that includes pinpointing new ways of working, and using our purchasing power to drive down the costs of the goods and services.
"All this is designed to maintain and strengthen the services we care about."
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 June 2007 )
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