It’s that time of year again, when the council works to determine its budget for the following fiscal year.
Teesside Live readers are unimpressed with Middlesbrough’s early budget proposals for 2025/26, which promote “growth” at a cost. Residents might face a council tax increase of up to 4.99%.
The proposed budget is a step towards the “reset” phase of Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke’s manifesto promise to “recover, reset, deliver” following his 2023 election victory. According to the mayor, these initiatives are critical to the council’s march to financial sustainability.
Tree maintenance, pest control, better area management (including street sweeping), and arranging events to boost town centre footfall and community participation have all been identified as key development areas for investment. To balance the books, the council must find around £7 million in savings next year, with many projected reductions based on existing projects aimed at changing how social care services are managed – an area where the council invests heavily.
Proposals to improve foster care quality and help families stay together, thereby lowering out-of-home care expenses, have also emerged. Furthermore, novel techniques to help adults live more independent lives are on the table.
If the current proposals are approved, council tax will increase by the greatest possible margin without prompting a referendum, which is 4.99%. Debbie Middleton, the outgoing Director of Finance, supports this plan, which would include a 2.99% increase for general use and a 2% increase especially for adult social care. If the recommendations are adopted, they will be made available for public consultation from December 5, 2024 until January 8, 2025. The final budget decisions will be determined in February by a vote of all councillors.
Commenter Boroboy34 says: “As a full council tax payer. I don’t support these proposals. How are they going to increase foot fall in the town centre with an increase in car parking charges? Somewhat of an own goal.”
Cheesegrater1 agrees: “The mayor feels the town needs more visitors. Then someone comes up with an excellent idea and raises parking prices. Perhaps lowering the parking prices would encourage footfall. It’s not that complicated!” Anderson thinks: “Another increase in our council tax.
We already pay far too much and get nothing in return. The alleys are littered and the roads are potholed.” Another unfair hike for workers. We are being ripped off at every turn; petrol is excessively expensive, and council tax is just too exorbitant, particularly for what we receive.”
Theolo reacts: “It’s all down to the persistent underfunding of local government caused by 14 years of Tory cuts.”Did you complain when the cuts were implemented?” Clearquartzz feels that all of these costs should be absorbed by the central government; no one asked for higher energy costs, which raises all expenditures. If the government is unable to acquire control of the energy providers, why should the public be forced to pay more?”
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