Brighton and Hove alone in going for increase (From The Argus)

Brighton and Hove alone in going for increase

3:30pm Tuesday 24th January 2012 in News By James Wallin

Balancing the Books

Only one top-tier council in Sussex is planning a council tax increase.

Both East and West Sussex county councils as well district and borough authorities across Sussex have said they intend to freeze council tax for 2012/13.

Only Brighton and Hove City Council is proposing to increase the levy, by 3.5%. The Green administration has said the move is necessary to help protect frontline services and avoid excessive tax hikes in later years.

The Government is offering authorities that freeze council tax a one-off payment equivalent to a 2.5% increase.

‘Right thing to do’ In East Sussex this equates to £6 million and accepting the offer was never in doubt according to Conservative council leader, Peter Jones.

He said: “It is absolutely the right thing to do at a time when householders have so many other pressures.”

West Sussex

West Sussex County Council cabinet member for finance and resources, Michael Brown, said the one-off payment from the Government would amount to about £9.6 million.

He said: “I think this will be welcome news for hard pressed families across our county, and, at this stage, I cannot see any reason why we should be blown off course.”

Eastbourne

Lib Dem-controlled Eastbourne Borough Council, which will receive £206,000 from freezing tax, has also promised to protect frontline services.

The authority says it can make £1.6 million worth of savings without affecting key services.

Hastings

Labour-run Hastings Borough Council has also said it will not put up council tax although leader Jeremy Birch admitted “12 months on we will be short”.

Brighton and Hove

In Brighton and Hove the Greens say accepting the £3 million offered by the Government would increase pressure on council services and mean higher tax rises in years to come.

The administration says the increase, equivalent to 57p a week more for the average home, is necessary to protect key services from “ill-conceived” Government cuts.

The Argus has been running a poll on public opinion about council tax which has attracted more than 7,000 individual votes.

The results show almost 70% of readers want a freeze for 2012/13.

There are currently 14 other councils across the country considering rejecting the Government’s offer. Whitehall figures show 142 English councils have so far agreed to a freeze.

Balance the Books

Which areas of Brighton and Hove City Council's budget mean the most to you?

The Argus has chosen ten key areas of the budget proposals to find out which ones out readers think should be treated as a priority in the budget.

Make your choice by filling in our online form at www.theargus.co.uk/news/balancebudget

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