County Finances:
As mentioned in earlier updates, East Sussex County Council has a major budget shortfall for next year.
Social Care:
The Adult Social Care department spends 48% of the total budget so any attempt to balance the books will involve cuts to Care services. To achieve any savings in 2025/6, consultation must begin now on some proposals. None of there are a fait accompli but significant reductions will have to be made. Eleven service areas are under consideration including Housing support, drug and alcohol services and a series of accommodation-based services for some elderly people and some younger people with mental health or physical disability. The plan is to provide services in other ways where possible. By and large these are not required by statute; they are enhanced services County has chosen to provide for vulnerable groups. However, it is very regrettable that we may have to cut services for vulnerable people in order to balance the budget which the Council must do.
Children:
Children’s services are to are largely required by law and there is little room for maneuver except to try and find innovative solutions which are not readily available.
The school transport budget is also statutorily required and under pressure. The increase in children with Education, Health and Care plans raises the numbers eligible for free school transport. !9% of trips are individual taxi trips. Interestingly, the eligibility criteria for free school transport are:
Eligible children are defined as children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest suitable or designated school and:
the school is beyond the statutory school distance, or they cannot reasonably be expected to walk to their school because of their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or they would not be able to walk to their school in reasonable safety.
2.2 Children can also qualify for assistance under ‘extended rights’ eligibility.
2.3 Free transport is provided if their nearest suitable or designated school, measured from the child’s home to the nearest available entrance to the school, is: • Beyond 2 miles (if below the age of eight); or • Beyond 3 miles (if aged between eight and 16).
2.4 The nearest suitable school is the school closest to the child’s home that is suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have. A designated school serves the area in which the child lives and is suitable for the child. If there is more than one school serving the area, the nearest to the home will be used for transport eligibility purposes.
~ Local Roads:
There have been some improvements in our area. The appalling stretch of highway outside Cats Protection, Chelwood Gate, has at last been resurfaced and the bridge on Gun Lane near Buxted has been replaced. It is not to everyone’s taste but it’s a solid job.
Roy Galley
cllr.roy.galley@eastsussex.gov.uk
Tel: 01825 713018 or 07960 607672