The job of a county council is to work for its residents in managing and delivering properly budgeted local public services.

Full statement

This is not happening in West Sussex. Tory-led West Sussex County Council has become complacent and ineffective. We are now faced with a massive shortfall in available funding for our services, due not only to the pandemic and government cuts but, in part, created by the catalogue of failings and financial mismanagement by our Council over the years. These failings are well documented. They include a botched tendering process costing £4 million, large pay-outs to the former Chief Executive, and a recent decision to spend over £15 million on retail units in Broadbridge Heath at a time when retail is becoming an increasingly risky investment and this money is needed to help keep those front line public services we need. Not only are we now faced with the recently announced cuts to our Family and Children’s Services, but future service reductions in key areas seem likely at a time of increased demand. This will include schools, affecting our children’s education outcomes, and adult social services affecting care for our older people. These are services we can’t afford to lose. Labour councillors are working hard and doing a good job in highlighting Tory failings, standing up for our services and calling the Tories to account. Our councillors even presented a costed budget, which the Tories refused to support, but which would have safeguarded a lot more of the services now at risk. To ensure that the Council prioritises high quality, funded local services for our community, we need more Labour councillors. If you want to make a difference, vote Labour in the County Council elections. Chris Henson