A NUMBER of voluntary groups still face having their funding axed despite the government allowing East Sussex County Council to double its increase in council tax.

The Tory-controlled cabinet has decided to push ahead with plans to reduce grants to charities and groups.

The maximum council tax rise without triggering a referendum is 1.99 percent but last month the Government gave councils permission to add another two percent to the increase – providing that all the extra money is spent on adult social care, which in effect is caring for the vulnerable, including the elderly and those with learning disabilities.

East Sussex County Council will make a final decision on February 11. It says it needs to save £70 million over three years and the additional money from the further two percent rise would only raise £15 million.

However, that £15 million means some projects earmarked to have been hit with funding reductions will no longer be affected.

These include two projects supporting homeless people in Hastings and one in Eastbourne. These also include six services, including at Newhaven and Hailsham which help people with complex needs. There are also three schemes supporting young mothers with problems in Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings and homes supporting those with learning disabilities.

Deputy Leader Councillor David Elkin said it was "one of the most difficult and challenging budgets’ he had been involved in and warned that future years will still present problems".

He said: "Next year could be even more challenging. The cuts are painful and unsettling – we all respect that – but we need to be cautious and prepare ourselves for a bumpy ride ahead.

LibDem leader David Tutt acknowledged the problems but said he was concerned that some of the cuts still target areas such as support for the homeless, fostering and adoption services, and sheltered housing schemes.

"We have got to work together to protect our most vulnerable," he added.

Labour leader Trevor Webb said, ‘We care about the real people trying to make their lives better. The big battalions seem to have lobbied hard but I fear some of the smaller groups may lose out.’