Tax Rise

Those who own a band D property in Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate will pay 985.50 from April 1, while those who live in Lancing with a band D property will pay bills of 993.88 because of the parish council precept.

Likewise, because of the Sompting Parish Council precept, Sompting band D residents will pay 992.20.

Adur council's part of the bill amounts to 190.71 for band D properties in Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate, 724.95 for West Sussex County Council and 69.84 for Sussex Police Authority.

Announcing the budget at full council last Tuesday, council leader Neil Parkin said: "We have cut the use of reserves from 800,000 to 400,000 for this year. We had an incredibly poor financial settlement from the government, but have managed to target savings to those areas least likely to have a direct effect on the public."

But opposition Labour group leader Daniel Yates said: "This is a dreadful budget worse than last year's.

"There is no innovation, ideas or growth, and at the end of the day, Adur residents will still have an almost 10 per cent rise in their council tax."

Leader of the Adur Liberal Democrat group Elisa Vaughan said: "We have no alternative budget to propose, but cannot support this Conservative Independent Alliance with their proposed budget.

"What this ultimately means for the people of Adur is an increase in council tax, cuts to our services and a raid on the reserves, which are precariously low."

In a recorded vote, 24 councillors voted for the budget, with 17 against.