East Sussex County Council (ESCC) is raising its share of the council tax bill by 4.99%, the maximum amount allowed for 2023/24. The rise is based on 3% for general services and 2% for adult social care. Any larger increases would have to be debated with a local referendum.
The rise marks the 10th year in a row that ESCC has increased the amount it charges local residents. Assuming Rother District Council, Rye Town Council, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire & Rescue also raise their share for the coming year, most band D residents can expect their annual council tax bills to be between £2,220 and £2,311 in 2023/24. For comparison, a band D council taxpayer would have paid between £1,539.77 and £1,614.43 in 2013/14 and paid between £2,131 to £2,219.29 in 2022/23.
No new savings were included in the approved ESCC budget, although previously planned savings of around £937,000 will fall in the year. Even with the latest increase, the council’s financial plans identify a £41 million funding gap by 2025, unless more support is given to the council by central government.
Rother district councillors discuss their budget on Monday, February 20.
