Darlington Borough Council to raise council tax by 4.99%

Town Hall leaders plan to make £13.5 million worth of cuts over the next four years, including £3 million in 2026/27 through back office efficiencies and energy savings, to balance the budget. 

Darlington Borough Council said the increase of 2.99%, plus a social care precept of 2% will help fund rising demands in adult and children’s care services. 

Steve Harker, Labour council leader, said: “When we campaigned to win the 2023 elections we said we would tackle the £7.5 million annual overspend left by the Tories. 

“This budget does just that, balanced over the whole four years. 

“It brings to an end the Tory era of massive overspending every single year. It is still challenging, but a significant moment nonetheless.”

Darlington currently has the second-lowest tax rate in the North East, the council said. 

Changes to the government’s local authority funding formula mean Darlington will receive a 14 per cent spending increase over the next four years. 

Yet, despite the latest boost, councillors were told of the need to increase bills as the council’s financial planning remains in a “fragile position”, with forecasted cost pressures of around £27 million over the next four years.

More than £59 million is currently spent on adult social care by the council, with the additional precept raising a further £1.422 million, which the council said is “crucial to meet the overall costs and pressure faced in this service area”. 

Cllr Harker added: “These savings have ensured that we have been able to protect services – services already decimated during the first 10 years of Tory Government.

“We were clear in our election campaign of the need to seek to address the inequalities that had grown during the 14 years of Tory Government. Stabilising the Council budget has been a crucial task to increase our ability to address inequality.

An alternative council tax rise of 4.49 per cent suggested by the Green Party was backed by opposition councillors. 

Jonathan Dulston, leader of the Conservatives, called the latest financial plan a ”lazy budget”. “There is no innovation and all of the issues that this council faces are put to the taxpayer,” he added.  

Cllr Matthew Snedker, leader of the Green group, said: “This amendment shows that we, as a council, are ready to act. It might be a small amount off their bills but it is a sign that we are working for our residents. 

“Our finances are stretched, yes, but many residents are stretched beyond breaking point – and this indicates our willingness to be responsive, reactive and share a little bit of that return onto their bills now. 

“I am aware of the strains on every department in this council, and I really hope that national government is able to improve the settlement in years to come, and we are able to start rebuilding services and roads, giving people the town that they love back to a stronger position.”

But the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration voted against the last-minute bill change. 

Cllr Harker said: “It would be foolhardy of us to entertain a reduction in council tax because to do so would give us less chance to ensure we have adequate funding going forward over the next few years.” 

A Conservative motion, urging the council to introduce a lane rental scheme to minimise road disruption, improve public satisfaction and generate additional income, was also voted down.