Council Tax Goes Up

Hefty rises are now looming for taxes imposed by the county council which takes the lion s share of bills Sussex Police Authority and district and borough councils.

The county council s cabinet this week recommended an increase of 9.7 per cent in the county slice of band D council tax, from 660.78 to 724.95 - a rise of around 64. The current inflation rate is 1.9 per cent.

Massive government under-funding, new duties imposed by Whitehall, without the cash to meet the cost, and wages inflation were among the factors blamed.

The Sussex Police Authority precept looks likely to rise from 59.13, at band D, to between 70 and 75, with final decisions to be taken at the authority s next meeting on February 14.

The claim is that an increase of about 19 per cent would provide improvements in policing across the county.

District, borough and parish council figures also have to be added to the total, which is expected to rise by over 80 at band D.

The county council share of council tax being recommended by the cabinet, subject to final approval by the full council, is: band A 483.30, B 563.85, C 644.40, D 724.95, E 886.05, F 1,047.15, G 1,208.25, H 1,449.90.

For the full story, see the Gazette, January 31.