Brighton and Hove City Council to raise council tax by 4.99%
Deputy leader Jacob Taylor said the council had forecast a £36m budget gap – the difference between how much it expected to spend and its revenues.But the government's autumn statement had reduced the hole in the budget to £16m.
The Green leader of the opposition, Steve Davis, described the budget as having "more cuts – but with a different coloured axe".Meanwhile, Conservative leader Alistair McNair criticised the national government for slowing economic growth and criticised the effects of increased national insurance contributions for hurting businesses, charities and schools.He also argued that money spent on equality, diversity and inclusion could be used to fund libraries threatened with closure or cuts to their opening hours.The Greens and Conservatives put forward a series of amendments to the budget, but they were voted down.
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