Inflation-busting council tax rises are set to sweep Sussex for the third year in a row.

The county is again facing rises of about five per cent, twice the rate of inflation.

The increases would add, on average, £70 to a band D bill for the 2006 and 2007 financial year, meaning most people would face a bill well over £1,000.

West Sussex County Council plans to put its tax up by 4.9 per cent, East Sussex by 4.7 per cent and Brighton and Hove by 4.9 per cent.

The councils say "horrendously inadequate"

government funding is to blame for the rises, and warn of cuts to services and job losses.

West Sussex county councillor Mark Dunn said: "We are being undermined by a cynical government that is refusing to put investment into Sussex."

Chief executive of East Sussex County Council, Cheryl Miller, said she was disappointed with the rises and also blamed them on poor government settlements.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Brian Oxley said: "Once again local authorities are being made to put up taxes the Government hasn't got the guts to put up itself."

Owners of band D properties in Brighton and Hove would face a total council tax bill of about £1,278 in the financial year for 2006 and 2007. This figure includes predicted increases in the police and fire authority elements of the total bill.

It follows previous annual rises in the city of 4.8 per cent, 8.2 per cent and, in 2003, 16.4 per cent.

Finance councillor Simon Burgess said the budget would protect essential services, invest in public priorities and deliver free bus travel for older and disabled people.

The proposals include an extra £1.8 million for children's care and an additional £1.5 million for care for older people, adults with learning disabilities and those with mental health needs.

Similarly, in east and west Sussex announcements have been made about improvement to some services, but Henry Smith, leader of West Sussex County Council admitted cuts would also be made and about 300 jobs would be lost from its own County Hall.

The rises come despite financial problems in some parts of Sussex and large rises in councillors' allowances.

All of the rises are due to be rubber stamped at full council meetings in February but are not expected to change.