Borough chiefs to decide on final proposals for Council Tax and rent

Town Hall chiefs are this week expected to give the go-ahead to finalise plans which will will mean Council Tax and rent rises and changes to a range of services in the borough.

- by Tom Patterson

Cllr Jim Foreman said the council's priority is to protect vital services across the borough.

South Tyneside Council's updated proposals for its Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026-31 sets out how the council aims to deliver £11.6million in savings, while aiming to protect key local services and continue targeting support for residents who are most in need.

The final decision is due to be made at a full meeting of the council on Thursday.

The council is proposing a 4.95% council tax increase from April and rent increasing by 4.8% to support the management, maintenance, and safety of the borough's 16,000 local authority homes.

The council says the revised plan reflects the final local government finance settlement from the Government and feedback from the local community gathered through extensive consultation.

Cllr Jim Foreman, the council's lead member for governance, finance and corporate services, said: "Our priority is, and always will be, to protect the vital services that residents in the borough rely on every day.

"Despite significant financial pressures, this updated financial plan sets out a responsible, fair, and forward-looking approach that targets support where it's needed most."

He added: "We have listened very carefully to what residents told us and their views have shaped these final proposals.