Darlington Council to increase council tax as it seeks savings

Darlington Borough Council said it needs to save £16m by 2027-28

Council tax in Darlington could rise by 4.99% as the local authority seeks to save £4m a year, a leader has warned.

Darlington Borough Council said the extra income was needed to "protect services", with the council tax increase set to raise £3.1m a year.

The council will also consider raising rates at leisure centres and cemeteries to generate an extra £300,000 a year.

The authority is due to meet next week to discuss the proposed budget, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The Labour-Liberal Democrat council said it is facing "unparalleled" financial challenges due to a £46m reduction in public spending between 2010 and 2019, and is seeking to save £16m by 2027-28.

Particular pressures affecting the council include the "spiralling increase in demand for children's social care, high inflation, and rising interest rates", leader Stephen Harker said. 

Council officials have warned that additional government funding is needed, otherwise its reserves will be fully depleted by the end of 2025-26.

Mr Harker said: "Darlington has the second lowest council tax in the North East and as such we cannot raise sufficient income from council tax charges to fund the spending pressures we face.

"To protect services as far as possible and push back the impending cliff edge, all budgets have been reviewed and challenged and savings of £4.019m achieved through back office efficiencies, restructures and income generation which do not affect front line service delivery."