Council needs an extra £19,000

Town councillors have voted to increase their share of the council tax bill by 19,290, to 214,290. This is an increase of 4.71 per year on a band D property, a total of 56.48.

The Mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Dennis Forsdike said: 'Last year, the council managed to keep their share of the council tax at the same level as the previous year.

'This has not been possible this year due to a number of costs beyond our control. These include increased staffing and insurance costs, election expenses in May and 8,000 towards the cost of the renewal of CCTV cameras in the town centre.

'Money has also been included towards upgrading IT equipment, improvements to the cemetery buildings and grounds, tree works and refurbishment of the town council offices to include the provision of disabled access.

'The council have also allocated 10,000 over the next two years in support of a bid for further lottery funding for the continuing restoration and improvement work to Newhaven Fort.'

Services provided by the council include the provision of play areas, recreation grounds, social centres and allotments, town centre Christmas lights and maintenance of the town cemetery and war memorials.