Tax up 9.25%

For average band-D payers it will mean a rise for the year from 1,020.35 to 1,217.29.

Cllr Ann De Vecchi, leader of Lewes District Council, the precept setting authority, told members on Wednesday that the county council and Sussex Police Authority elements of the council tax accounted for 92 per cent of the cash increase.

They had both said that the main reason for this was the impact of the Government's new funding formula.

Lewes District Council's element of the tax had increased 9.25 per cent.

She said the council was intent on pressing ahead with kerbside recycling across the district, and from April concessionary bus fares would be extended to men aged 60. The budget for dealing with abandoned vehicles and fly tipping had been increased. All this would cost money.

But the general working fund balance at 915,569 was sufficiently robust to absorb an interest rate variation of 0.75 per cent and the housing revenue account working balance had been increased to 750,000.

And she added: 'In setting the budget we have, as in previous years, taken account of known future changes to the base budget. The overall package of proposals will add 23p a week which is 12.15 a year at band-D.'

But Tories on the council were less than enthusiastic at the increases. Cllr Laurie Holland unsuccessfully proposed a 7.72 per cent rise in council tax, achieved by using more balances and reducing spending.

Cllr Keith Moorhouse said it was possible to reduce tax without making cuts and also claimed that Lewes rural areas often paid for services that they didn't get such as leisure centres and public toilets.