Crunch Hartlepool Borough Council meeting will decide town’s latest council tax bills.
A crucial meeting will be held to determine whether the majority of Hartlepool’s council tax will remain at the present amount.
Last year, the Labour-controlled Hartlepool Borough Council declared that its portion of the bills, which accounts for the majority of residents’ total payments, will be frozen for the fiscal year 2026-27 beginning in April.
However, James Magog, the council’s director of finance, IT, and digital, has recommended that the local authority seek the “maximum council tax increase permissible,” which is 4.99%.
At the most recent meeting of the financial and corporate affairs committee, he continued, “Unfortunately, I cannot emphasise that recommendation strongly enough.”
The council forecasts an £8.012 million deficit in 2026-27, which might be reduced to £3.74 million if projected cuts endorsed by individual policy committees are implemented.
Mr Magog believes that raising the council tax would generate an additional £2.804 million, which, when combined with the use of £936,000 in reserves, would result in a balanced budget.
Labour Councillor Pamela Hargeaves, the council’s leader, said they have been asking the government for greater funds, and there is a “feeling of disappointment” that it has not arrived.
She added the local authority has been doing “everything we can” but that rising social care costs are “killing the council”.
The ultimate decision on whether or not to increase the council’s bill will be taken during the full council meeting on Thursday, February 19.
Hartlepool residents’ council tax bills additionally include donations to the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner and the Cleveland Fire Authority, while those who live in parish council areas pay a parish precept.
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