County council agrees to cuts of £60m despite £473m in reserves
Hastings to Battle link road demo, County Hall, Lewes Protestor in Peter Jones mask
Despite angry protests outside County Hall in Lewes, East Sussex County Council has approved budget cuts of £60million over the next three years.
Adult social care is facing cuts of more than £27million, with savings of more than £11million in children’s services.
A spokesman for the demonstrators, who held up placards against the Bexhill Hastings link road, said: “The council has had its budget slashed by central Government, but they must bear some responsibility for doing the Government’s work for them. The council has £473m in reserves and are spending £44m on a controversial road scheme – the Bexhill Hastings link.
“Nationally £120billion of tax is avoided, evaded or uncollected. There is an alternative, and it’s time that the most vulnerable in our society were protected.”
In a press release, the county council tried to present a positive side to the budget, emphasising the freeze on council tax for the third year in a row.
Deputy leader Keith Glazier insisted: “We are in the same boat as every council in the UK in terms of having to make some very tough choices. Our plans to save £60million will mean changes and reductions in some services and more job losses.
“We are clear though that we’ll do our very best to mitigate any cuts and protect our key frontline services. We promise to continue to boost the East Sussex economy with better road links and better broadband.”
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Weather for West Sussex
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
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