More cuts planned as council faces £57m budget gap

The council has found another £12m in savings, but says more will be needed

A council is looking at wide-ranging cuts in an effort to help close a £57m gap in its financial forecasts.

Cabinet members at East Sussex County Council earlier considered a report on financial planning for 2025, which includes proposals to find a further £12m savings.

The combined savings are needed to address the £57m deficit for 2025/26, which is expected to increase in the future.

The additional savings, including about 160 staff cuts, service reductions and increased parking fees, would come on top of almost £4m worth of adult social care cuts, which was put out to public consultation in September.

The council is considering ending its “direct climate change activity”. This change would effectively remove it’s ability to deliver on its decarbonisation commitment.

It would also look at axing the Discretionary East Sussex Support Scheme (DESSS), a service which provides emergency help in exceptional circumstances, usually in the form of food and utilities.

The proposals also include plans to close or rent out parts of County Hall to reduce running costs and generate rental income.

On-street pay and display parking charges would also be set to increase by five per cent.

The meeting heard that, while the new government's budget of 30 October offered some additional funding, it also increased costs through national minimum wage and employers’ national insurance contributions.

East Sussex County Council is facing severe financial restrictions in the coming years

Nick Bennett, cabinet member for resources and climate change, said: “Even with those proposed savings the council still faces a deficit of £13m.

“This reflects that after many years of service reductions, efficiencies and savings there are limited opportunities to identify further savings while meeting statutory duties and basic operating requirements.

“With projected unallocated reserves standing at £10 million, the setting of a balanced budget will be a challenge."

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