Council tax bills in West Sussex are likely to go up by almost six per cent from April.

The inflation-busting rise will mean an average Band D homeowner will pay £620.75 for county council services compared to the current £586.26.

The increase which is £34.49, or 66p a week, is being recommended to a meeting of the county's Policy and Resources Committee on Friday.

But still to be added to that figure are the amounts needed by district and borough councils, Sussex

Police and parish and town councils.

Council leader Graham Forshaw said the recommended increase was the lowest possible of several budget options facing the council and would still mean improvements to many

services.

He revealed that the council will start borrowing again for the first time in 12 years.

To keep council tax bills down, County Hall will take advantage of a new scheme under which money can be borrowed for highways projects with the government paying interest and repayment costs.

The council will only be able to carry out projects which are Government-approved. Coun Forshaw admitted it would remove local

flexibility but said it would help the council avoid cutting services and increasing council tax by more than eight per cent.

He said today: "We consider we are able to improve services and at the same time keep our council tax to a level which is lower than most English counties.

"We already have the ninth lowest tax of all 34 English counties."

The proposed county council budget also includes an extra £4 million to help ease the pressures on the social services department and

£21 million for schools.

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