'I'm saddened we have to make such painful savings'

A council in East Sussex is considering immediate spending cuts and operational changes to achieve extensive budget savings.

Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) said it has "repeatedly warned" that the costs of homelessness and temporary accommodation placements are causing an "unprecedented strain".

Despite including over £3m of savings in the 2024/2025 budget, the council says additional savings of over £2.7m are still needed.

Council leader Stephen Holt said: "I am saddened and frustrated that we are forced to make such painful savings."

The authority has taken a lead in a national campaign calling for government support.

An EBC spokesperson said focus of the new savings would be on discretionary services rather than statutory services that the council must provide by law.

Among the savings councillors will consider first are:

• a significant reduction in grant funding for the Towner gallery
• the immediate closure of the heritage centre on Beachy Head
• the transfer of operation of conferencing and catering at Devonshire Quarter
• changes to the operation of Eastbourne's theatres
• sales of assets and further efficiencies in events and seafront services

Cllr Holt said: “My promise is that I will continue to lobby government to tackle the homelessness crisis and provide a fairer deal for councils, so that we can continue to provide the services that all our residents rightly expect and deserve.”

The first wave of potential cuts will be discussed at a council meeting on 18 September.

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