SO West Sussex County Council has agreed a 3.95 per cent council tax increase – the first rise in six years.

At the same time – as you will have read on pages 4 and 5 – there will still be £17 million in cuts in the coming financial year plus the council will be using £9.4 million of savings to avert further reductions.

It’s a very sorry state of affairs but sadly not one that is unique to West Sussex.

Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council are in the same position. So too are all other borough and district councils across the county.

There is no secret that councils have seen a massive reduction in the funding received from central Government.

And it is no secret that some of our most vulnerable people are often the victims of many of those savings.

As for a solution that’s a matter of debate depending on your political standpoint.

The Government insists it still has to be prudent after what it says were too many years of Labour overspending. Labour, meanwhile, insist the Tories should be targeting more resources at the most needy.

The arguments will continue and times will continue to be tough.

All councils will need to tighten their belts for many years to come no doubt. But wouldn’t it be nice if political rivalries could be put to one side and agreement reached on the priorities.

We believe that social care and support for the disabled and disadvantaged should be right at the top of that priority list.

And that means a genuine drive to support people – not just token comments.