North Tyneside council to raise tax by five per cent

North Tyneside Council is considering a move to increase council tax by five per cent, in a bid to save £18 million in 2017/18.

The council has maintained that the need for savings is due to a reduction in government spending and a rising demand for services such as vulnerable adults and children's social care.

The local authority assured that its sport, leisure centres and libraries will be protected in the budget along with the £5 million spent annually on maintaining the condition of roads and pavements in the region.

The council says raising the Adult Social Care precept will raise an additional £2.25 million to support vulnerable people and families. In turn it will mean an overall increase in council tax of five per cent, in line with Central Government advice. This will ensure the council can continue to deliver the essential services that residents need to stay safe and cared for.

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn commented: “This is an incredibly tough time as we are faced with steeply declining government funding as well as relentless pressure on our already slashed budgets. I am clear that we can rise to this challenge.

“I would like to thank all of those who gave us their feedback during our budget consultation. We have listened to residents and understand what is important to them, and have set out a clear plan for the future of North Tyneside. This plan seeks to protect and improve essential services for the people of North Tyneside, invest in the future of the borough, grow the local economy, create more jobs and opportunities, and build a more modern council that enables people to do more for themselves.

“Despite these unprecedented and unrelenting government funding cuts my budget will look after the environment by protecting weekly refuse collections, encouraging people to recycle more and continuing investment in local environmental services.”

Residents have given their views on the budget proposals since they were launched in November 2016, via a series of public consultation events and on the council’s website, with the proposed budget to be discussed at a full council meeting on February 2.