The county council is proposing a 4.99 per cent rise to its share of bills in 2021/22, made up of 1.99 per cent for general revenue and three per cent for the adult social care precept. For a Band D property this would equate to an extra £71.79 a year on top of any increases added on by district, borough, town and parish councils as well as the police and crime commissioner. West Sussex County Council has faced huge cuts to its funding from central government at the same time as dealing with increased pressure in a number of areas such as adult social care and children’s services over the past decade. These financial problems have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. As well as making cuts and efficiency savings the county council has had to significantly increase its share of council tax over the past half decade. If the proposed 4.99 per cent rise is accepted, it will mean WSCC’s precept for a Band D property will have risen by £348.57 over the past six years, an average of £58 per annum. The draft revenue budget for 2021/22 is set to be discussed by the county council’s performance and finance scrutiny committee on Wednesday January 20. It will then go to cabinet next Friday and full council in mid-February for final sign-off. According to officers the pandemic has provided a number of financial challenges during 2020/21 but is also having a significant impact on the review and development of the council’s medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 and beyond. This has led to this year’s budget setting process being ‘one of the most challenging in recent memory’. Their report states: “West Sussex County Council has not only risen to these challenges and played a leading role in the response to the impact of the pandemic across all its services, but in particular in the areas of adult social care and community services, whilst simultaneously bringing on board a number of new members of the executive leadership team and continuing to deliver on the improvement plans established for both the children’s services and the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. “The response to the direct challenges of Covid-19 by West Sussex County Council, together with other partners including our district and borough councils, whether in terms of social care, support to vulnerable individuals and families, safely re-opening schools, supporting suppliers and partners including the NHS and school transport, has clearly demonstrated the strength of local government and the commitment of all our officers and members to supporting the residents of West Sussex.”