And there’s good news for Crawley residents. They could benefit from the lowest Council Tax rise in Sussex.

The proposed increase in the Crawley Borough Council element of Council Tax is just 0.77 per cent, in line with inflation – this means a rise of £1.44 a year or less for a band D property.

Council Tax bills are made up of three elements though – Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.

West Sussex County Council is proposing a rise of 3.95 per cent while Sussex Police contributions will rise by 3.4 per cent..

Crawley Borough Council’s proposed 2016/17 budget protects frontline services, makes some savings and sees continuing investment in the town

All this is despite a cut of almost 14 per cent in government funding and retained business rates which represents a 3.1 per cent reduction in spending power – the second largest in West Sussex.