Plan to draw on extra funding for East Sussex is approved

Ministers have today approved East Sussex County Council’s request to raise an extra £70 million of funding, known as exceptional financial support (EFS).

This measure is essential for the council to set a balanced budget for 2026/27, allowing us to continue funding essential services on which so many people in East Sussex depend.

It is welcome that the government has recognised those needs and the fact that existing resources were no longer enough to meet them.

However. it must be stressed that this funding will be raised through borrowing. The help in the short term will increase repayments in years ahead and therefore increase the financial pressure on the council and local taxpayers.

ESCC is one of at least 35 local authorities drawing on EFS for the coming year.  Exceptional Financial Support for local authorities for 2026-27 - GOV.UK

This measure was needed despite the fact the council has already made huge efficiencies and has had to make significant service reductions of £160 million since 2010. Independent assessments have shown ESCC to be well run, with strong governance, delivering quality services at reasonable cost.

The actions taken to date are not enough because more people than ever need our services and the costs of providing them have risen sharply.

The need for extra funding shows that East Sussex, a county with a very high proportion of elderly residents, a rural profile and significant areas of deprivation, does not have the security of annual funding which meets people’s needs.

That is why reform of local government finances, so that they truly account for the demand for services and the cost of providing them, is still essential. Only then will ESCC be able to plan a stable future on behalf of the residents we work for.

Karen Bowles

Monday, 23 February 2026