Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Information That Comes With Your Bill

Financial Year 2010/2011

Value for money and efficiencies keep budget on course

Despite the effects of the 'credit crunch' and rising pressures on services, Stockton Borough Council has limited this year's Council Tax rise to 2 per cent - half of what the Council originally planned in last year's budget.

Thanks to putting in place long term financial planning more than a decade ago, the Council has been able to weather the recent downturn and has continued to provide efficient services and value for money for residents.

For Band A Council Tax payers - almost half the Borough's total - this means an extra 31 pence a week.

The Council began an Efficiency, Improvement and Transformation Programme last year, is reviewing travel allowances for Council staff and looking at ways of extending partnering with others - such as the groundbreaking public sector partnership with Darlington Borough Council.  We are also making our procruement process more effective.

Together, we intend these will save a further £12m by 2013, whilst protecting front line services and jobs despite reductions in both Government funding and income - and whilst demands on services such as benefits, safeguarding vulnerable people and personal care for an aging population are increasing.

The Audit Commission has recognised the way we use our resources by awarding the Council a top 'excellent' rating - Stockton is one of just three English unitary or county councils to achieve this.

Looking ahead, developments totalling hundreds of millions of pounds will help transform schools, housing, health, transport and other services in the coming years, with the £15 million refurbishment of Billingham Forum to be completed in 2011.

The Council is supporting apprentices training in a range of services and has signed up to the national 10:10 campaign to cut its carbon emissions by 10 per cent during 2010.

Together, these will help make the Borough a better place in which to live.

Stockton Borough Council also collects Council Tax on behalf of Cleveland Police (2.94% increase), Cleveland Fire Authority (3.90% increase) and Parish Councils in the Borough.  These are also included in your Council Tax bill, leading to a combined increase for all authorities of 2.20%.