4.95% tax rise to tackle 'rising service demand'

LEADERS of Stockton Council are "very reluctantly" proposing a council tax rise of 4.95% next financial year.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Deputy council leader Councillor Paul Rowling said the council was still facing “huge” demand and costs in children’s and adults’ services which show “no signs of slowing down”.

The Labour-led authority estimates a budget gap of £6.7m for 2026-27, predicted to rise to £18.4m in 2028-29.

The council says it expects to make £9.9m savings by 2028-29 through its “Powering Our Future” programme.

The cabinet will meet at 5pm on Monday to discuss a report on the council’s budget and medium term financial plan in the council chamber at Dunedin House, Thornaby.

The council proposes a 2.95% rise in core council tax, plus 2% for the government's adult social care levy. It says of 774 responses to its recent six-week “Let's Talk Money” consultation on council spending, just over half of residents who filled in the survey were comfortable with some form of council tax rise; 39% supported no rise.