Cash-strapped council says it needs more support

Worthing Borough Council has a predicted shortfall increase of around £600,000 from July

A West Sussex council is likely to continue to require financial support from the government, documents say.

Worthing Borough Council's predicted shortfall for the 2026/27 budget is expected to be around £4m, a council committee report said.

It added that the council would likely need to seek exceptional funding support from the government for the "foreseeable future".

Worthing Cabinet Member for Resources, John Turley, said next year's projected shortfall increase was mostly due to increases in the housing needs budget.

He said the council is currently receiving exceptional financial support from the government, which he said meant there was "an expectation" that council tax will increase next year by the maximum amount, 2.99%, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council has a predicted shortfall increase of around £600,000 from July.

Higher than expected inflation and borrowing costs are also impacting the shortfall, Councillor Turley added.

Council leader Sophie Cox said the council was facing "considerable pressures" financially.

The authority was spending 26% of its net revenue budget on housing and accommodation, she said.