Last Friday, West Sussex County Council approved its annual budget for the financial year 2023/24, ensuring that investment, support and essential services continues for all of us across the county.

The majority of the County Council’s budget is used to fund schooling, and to provide adult social care and services to support children.  The County Council will spend £1.86 billion in 2023/24 to deliver day-to-day services to a growing population of 882,676 residents and 37,400 businesses across the county.  One eighth (110,000) of the West Sussex population lives here within Crawley.

The County Council provides roughly 80% of our local government services, hence why it is the largest share of our council tax bills.  As well as those services listed above, the County Council also provides our Fire & Rescue Service, our Libraries, Public Health, Trading Standards, Countryside Services including Buchan Park, Highways and Transport, Waste Disposal, Economic Development, Strategic Planning, Adult learning and skills, and many other services.   

Of the £1.86 billion budget, £883m will support 118,276 children in 286 schools, 6,510 children with education health and care plans, and 2,400 families and young carers.  £458m of the annual budget will support 8,500 adults through social care, and to help keep people healthy through Public Health support.  A further £174m will support 880 children in the care of the County Council, plus 760 children on Child Protection Plans,  1,585 children on Child in Need Plans and 2,130 families through early help.  £80m will be spent on maintaining 4,046km of roads & 3,956km of footways, an increase of £4.5 million.

This budget includes an increase to the County Council element of council tax of 2.99% - plus an additional 2% for adult social care which has growing demand through our aging population.  My preference is for the lowest possible rise in council tax, but global inflation has made it harder this year, although the increase is well below the current inflation rate.  Most local authorities everywhere, including Crawley Borough Council, are putting up council tax by the maximum amount they are permitted to in law to meet rising cost pressures.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

22nd February 2023