Hartlepool Borough Council is in the process of setting its budget for 2026/27 and is calling on residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say.
It has launched a consultation which is running until 4 January 2026.
The Council provides a wide range of services paid for through a combination of Council Tax, Business Rates, and central government funding.
Required by law to set a balanced budget, it is predicting a deficit of up to £9 million for 2026/27. One of the biggest pressures is children’s social care, with overall spending on children’s services now £20 million higher than four years ago.
To help residents deal with the increased cost-of-living, Labour councillors are proposing to freeze Council Tax next year. Whilst this will ease pressure on households, it will also lead to nearly £3m less to spend on council services.
To help bridge the funding gap it is facing, the Council - which also expects to benefit from government proposals for a fairer funding system for local authorities from next year - is proposing a range of savings, including:
- Reviewing how adult and children’s social care is delivered.
- Increasing recycling.
- Reviewing fees and charges.
- Reviewing Council Tax Support payments.
- Investing in digital technology to make back-office functions more efficient.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "This is a particularly challenging time for all local authorities, but we are committed to balancing our 2026/27 budget in a way that does not increase the Council Tax burden on already hard-pressed families. The grossly unfair and outdated Council Tax system which is desperately in need of reform, has led to an outrageous situation where expensive homes in wealthy London boroughs such as Westminster often pay the same rates as modest homes in Hartlepool.
“We are keen to hear the views of our residents, businesses and partners, and together we can make the best decisions for Hartlepool’s future when setting the 2026/27 budget. Please take part in the consultation, your voice really matters.”
Find out more about the budget consultation and complete a short survey at: https://yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2026
Paper copies of the survey are also available from community hubs, libraries and Hartlepool Civic Centre.
Work on the 2026/27 budget will continue over the coming weeks and will be finalised at a Full Council meeting in February.