At first glance, it looks nothing but good news.

A dramatic 1% council tax cut, a reduction in parking permit prices, more money for youth services and free swimming for under 11s are the apparent highlights of Brighton and Hove City Council's long-awaited answer to unprecedented funding cuts.

But as the controlling Conservative administration puts all its efforts into stressing the positives of their budget, the opposition parties are already accusing their rivals of trying to "buy" the May local election.

They claim that nowhere is this more evident than in the admission that £34 million and 250 posts could be cut this year but no details are being given of the scale that would follow in the next three years.

They claim the Tories are “passing the buck” for this election year to help their bid to retain power and the real impact would follow.

Council leader Mary Mears defended the budget, saying: “We are doing what we think is right to move the city forward.”

Meanwhile, West Sussex County Council has decided to reveal its plans for the next three years which will see up to 1,300 jobs going and savings of up to £79 million.

For full report see tomorrow's Argus.