West Sussex council tax to rise by 4.99%

West Sussex County Council's budget for 2025/26 preserves frontline services

Council tax for West Sussex residents will increase by 4.99% in a bid to avoid cutting frontline services.

In April, the average Band D council tax bill will go up to £1,800.54 – a rise of £85.59.

Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council's cabinet member for finance, said the council's hand was forced by the need to plug a funding gap.

The news was shared during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Hunt said: "Government funding continues to be insufficient to meet the growing needs of our residents, which means the only alternative would be to cut frontline services.

"We are determined to protect these vital services and continue to be there for vulnerable residents who rely on us, so, reluctantly we are proposing this increase."

The council's net revenue spending - its day-to-day costs - is to increase by £58.7m to £827m.

An additional £118.6m will also be invested through the capital programme into roads, highways, schools, and digital infrastructure.

The budget for adults services will increase by £29m to £292m.

A report to the cabinet said that some 95% of that would be spent funding the social care needs of around 8,500 residents.

After warnings of a £60m budget gap for this coming year, a gap of between £50m and £191m has been forecast for between 2026/27 and 2029/30.

The budget will be put to the full council for final approval on 14 February.

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