Council taxpayers across the South East are facing increases in their bills again this year.

Surrey County Council approved a 4.99% rise, East Sussex agreed a 1.99% hike, while West Sussex has proposed a 2.99%.

Meanwhile, Kent County Council voted through a rise of 2.99% which opposition councillors said was like treating people “like cash machines”.

Surrey county councillors have voted through a 4.99% council tax rise, which will see a Band D household pay an extra £77.31 for the year.
However, calls to use some of its £150m reserves to spend more on public health and spare residents the extra cost were rejected, according to the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Many opposition councillors backed a proposal by Green councillor Jonathan Essex to use about £26m (17%) of the council’s reserves.
This included an £8m spend to deliver a child poverty strategy, reverse the reduced number of children’s centres and support preventative health.

However, it was voted down by 43 members and supported by just 31.
Council leader Tim Oliver said the amendment was “bordering on the irresponsible” and the council’s reserves were “not excessive”.

The council tax rise is made up of:

• 0.99% increase to fund the increased cost of delivering services
• 3% increase to fund additional spend in adult and children’s social care
• 1% increase to fund additional investment in mental health

Councillor Oliver said: “We recognise that household budgets are feeling the squeeze just like ours – that any further increase for many people is unpalatable – but we’re deciding to tackle the root causes of hardship and inequality.
“For those that need financial help now, who are facing crisis point, we will actively support them.”

West Sussex County Council’s portion of the 2022/23 council tax is set to rise by 2.99% – an increase of more than £45 on a Band D bill.

The increase was supported during a meeting of the cabinet on 1 February.
Made up of a 1.99% core increase and a one per cent precept for adult social care, the rise would see Band D bills rise from £1,510.56 to £1,555.74.

The budget was due to go before the full council on 18 February, but the meeting was cancelled because of Storm Eunice.

The full council will now meet on 28 February.

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