East Sussex County Council has overcome huge challenges to deliver vital services to thousands of residents, its annual report says.
The “State of the County” report reveals how the authority supported more than 30,000 people through adult social care services in 2024/25 and had contact with more than 48,000 children and young people through its children’s services team.
But the report also comes with a warning that the council faces its “most challenging financial position ever”, and there is significant uncertainty about future funding.
23,000 potholes repaired
The report, which will be presented to the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday next week (24 June), also highlights the maintenance of more than 2,000 miles of road – including the repair of more than 23,000 potholes on roads and pavements.
More than two million items were issued through the county’s libraries, and a quarter of a million tonnes of waste was dealt with.
Soaring costs
But as well as the authority’s achievements, the report looks at the challenges that lay ahead due to demographics and deprivation resulting in increased demand for services, and soaring costs.
Cabinet members will be told that while the Govt’s intention to give councils funding plans which cover more than one year is welcome, this cannot simply rely on raising already-high council tax.
“significant uncertainty”
Cabinet members will be told: “We begin our planning for 2026/27 and beyond from the most challenging financial position the council has ever faced, but also with significant uncertainty about future funding.
“Without further Government support, changes to the statutory requirements local authorities are expected to fulfil, or more funding for the county as a result of reform of local government finances we will not have the funding we need for the future.”
More over 65s
The report predicts almost one in three of the population of East Sussex will be 65 and over by 2029, more than 80,000 older people will be living with a limiting long-term illness by 2030, and 20 per cent more children will have with registered support for special needs (Education and Health Care Plans) in the next three years.
Councillors will be reminded of the steps already being taken to address the financial pressures and the council’s commitment to fight for fairer and more sustainable funding that reflects the specific needs of the county.
At the meeting Cabinet members will be asked to review the council’s priority outcomes, agree an update to the Medium-Term Financial Plan, agree officers identify areas for search for further savings and agree an update of the council’s Capital Strategy and programme.