THE first council tax rise in five years could be on the cards for West Sussex residents, following the “worse than expected” funding settlement announced by the Government, on December 17.

West Sussex County Council has calculated it will have a budget shortfall of £36.3m for the financial year 2016-17.

Council leader Louise Goldsmith said: “Next year will be an extremely challenging one for us, but we will continue to do everything we can to deliver good quality services and value for taxpayers while continuing to make the necessary savings.

“However with growing demands on our services, a worse than expected funding settlement from the government, the end of the council tax freeze grant and the introduction of the National Living Wage we will have to take some very tough decisions regarding council tax.

“We totally support the living wage but we cannot escape the fact that this will add an extra £9m annually to our budget, nor can we escape the fact that the Chancellor’s two per cent surcharge on council tax bills for social care will not plug the funding gap we face in providing adult social services.

“West Sussex has frozen council tax for its residents for the last five years, but with the additional burdens being placed on our budget and a shortfall in funding some tough decisions will have to be made.”