Tax freeze and spending cuts on agenda for West Sussex budget talks

The Committee meets on Thursday January 24, from 10.30am, at County Hall, West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RQ. Members of the public can attend.

Committee chairman David Britton said: “Our role is to debate the overall budget, taking into account comments from the other scrutiny committees.

“Our comments and recommendations will help inform the Cabinet and their debate on the draft budget, when they meet at the end of the month.

“The budget approved by the Cabinet will go to the full county council for agreement on Friday February 15.”

David added: “A feature of the 2013/14 budget is that for the third year in a row, a council tax freeze is being proposed, with government funding available to support the freeze.

“The proposed budget is set against the backdrop of a large and on-going reduction in public spending, and also the introduction of a new local government funding regime.

“It also marks the third year of the county council’s three-year programme to save £79 million, which is on target to be achieved.”

To read the agenda go to the website at www.westsussex.gov.uk.