County hall debate on council tax rise and service cuts delayed by late Government information

East Sussex county councillors are due to discuss the Tory administration’s budget for 2016/17 today (Tuesday February 9), which includes a 3.99 per cent rise in its element of council tax, and amendments put forward by both the Labour and Lib Dem groups.

But the final Government settlement for ESCC has only been provided in the last 24 hours and has caused the section of the meeting discussing the budget to be delayed while officers prepare updated information.

Alan Shuttleworth (LDem, Eastbourne - Langney) asked if it was acceptable that they had received some financial details at the 11th hour from the secretary for communities and local government, less than 24 hours before the budget debate.

Keith Glazier (Con, Rye and Eastern Rother), leader of the council, replied: “I’m afraid as I do not control the workings of Parliament we have to accept they have got it in before the meeting at the 11th hour.

“I hope people today will have enough information to make sensible decisions on the information that we do have.”

More to follow.

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