Sunderland Council freezes council tax for third year

A North East council has frozen council tax for a third year despite having to cut £37m from its budget this year.

Sunderland Council leader Paul Watson said it was committed to protecting services for vulnerable people during a "challenging" financial period.

But he confirmed the council would have to trim a further £98m from its budget over the next three years.

He also said a review and consultation into library services was about to begin.

Mr Watson said: "Sadly, in the prevailing economic climate and the resulting measures being imposed by central government, I fear cuts will only increase.

"Nevertheless, this is not a council to batten down the hatches.

"Instead we are committed to continuing to develop and deliver services in different, more efficient, and customer focused ways - ways that lead to better outcomes for local people."