Council tax increase as funding plea 'dismissed'
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceCouncillors have unanimously agreed to increase council tax bills by 1.98% despite previous plans by the leading Labour administration for a freeze.
Hartlepool Borough Council agreed its budget for 2026/27 on Tuesday, bringing back its recycling centre booking system and removing free town centre parking on Sundays to make savings.
Although core council tax has been frozen, a 1.98% increase will be implemented through the adult social care precept.
Labour council leader Pamela Hargreaves said the rise - the lowest in the North East - was a "direct consequence of spiralling children's social care costs".
A decision on the budget was paused last month to allow for councillors to lobby the government for more funding.
Hargreaves said they were "proud" to take a "cross party delegation" to London and "pleaded our case", however this was "dismissed".
"It kind of fell on deaf ears, which is very sad," she told Radio Tees.
"But what we've managed to do locally is take that on the chin and we've worked with out financial team and we've managed to balance a budget."
Hargreaves added that the council would continue to keep fighting the government for more funding and this could be done "better from inside".
'Difficult decision'
During the meeting Labour councillors put forward £1.58m in additional savings to balance the books, on top of a previously suggested £4.272m of efficiencies.
New measures include reinstating the booking system at the household waste recycling centre, which will save an estimated £175,000.
The unscheduled highways maintenance revenue budget will also be reduced to save about £500,000.
Free Sunday parking in the town centre, as well as free parking on Saturdays in December will also be axed.
Hargreaves said the budget eased the pressure on working families by freezing core council tax and protected vital services.
"It is a difficult decision, and it is an honest one, it is an honest summation of where we are right now," she added.
Reform councillor Mike Young said there was agreement the budget "does stack up" financially and it was "positive" the booking system at the Household Waste Recycling Centre was being reintroduced.
A total of £1.047m in reserves will also be used to balance the budget, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
