West Sussex County Council's budget protects frontline services despite £30 million government funding cut.
Conservative-run West Sussex County Council’s budget for the year 2026-27 will protect delivery of frontline services and provides investment in vital services for communities.
County Cllr Christian Mitchell said:
“This is an extremely positive budget against a very difficult background of increasing pressures and rising costs. As a County Council we deliver over 300 services to more than 915,000 residents across 769 square miles.
We know our residents, particularly the most vulnerable, depend upon our services every day and I’m pleased to say this budget will not cut any of those vital frontline services. This has not been an easy task and has been made even more challenging after the government - through a process called Council Tax Equalisation - reduced our funding by £30 million over the next three years and redistributed the funds elsewhere in the country.”
The County Council will spend £2.3 billion on day-to-day services in 2026-27 including:
• £1,346.7m on schools and education, children’s social care and support
• £577.2m caring for adults and keeping people healthy
• £90.1m protecting the environment, recycling and waste disposal
• £84.6m maintaining roads and providing transport
• £72.8m on fire and rescue services and supporting communities and
• £5.8m supporting the local economy.
