Council approves 2023/24 budget

As part of a package to address this situation, the Council has agreed its budget for 2023/24 which includes raising a total of £2.3m from a 2.9% increase in Council Tax and a 2% rise in the Adult Social Care Precept.

This will add £1.15 per week to bills for Band A properties (53% of all Hartlepool households), £1.35 a week for Band B properties (17% of households) and £1.53 a week for Band C properties (14% of households).

Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade precepts will be added to bills once they have been agreed by both organisations.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of the Council, said: “We understand the pressures that many residents are under at the moment, and nobody wants to increase household bills. However, without the additional income generated by these increases we would be looking at further significant cuts in services.

“The 2023/24 budget helps to protect vital front-line services - including adult and children’s social care which together account for around 60% of Hartlepool Borough Council’s annual expenditure - and ensures the Council’s future financial viability.

“Many people will be aware that there is a significant number of major regeneration schemes about to get underway in Hartlepool. These schemes are going to have a hugely transformational effect on the town, creating jobs and training opportunities whilst also bringing many derelict and under-used buildings back into use. Alongside the renovation of buildings, surrounding streets and open spaces will be improved to create a sense of vibrancy and positivity.

“It is important to recognise, however, that these big regeneration schemes are not funded through Council Tax or the Adult Social Care Precept - they are the result of successful bids by the Council for external funding which would simply go elsewhere if it wasn’t spent here.”

Although the Council’s Government grant allocation for 2023/24 is better than expected, it must still fund a significant proportion of its annual expenditure from Council Tax and the Adult Social Care Precept.

The Government sets an annual limit on Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept increases, above which a referendum is required. This year, the Government has raised the referendum limits and made it clear that they expect councils to use this additional flexibility when setting their budgets.

Councillor Moore added: “Whilst we welcome the additional Government funding, we are disappointed that the national funding system continues to shift the burden of funding council services from Central Government to local taxpayers. We will continue to press the case for a fairer funding system.

“Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept referendum limits are provided annually by the Government on a “use it or lose it” basis. The Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept increases provide vital recurring income to maintain the delivery of crucial services which would otherwise be lost to us.”