Council budget for 2026 to 2027 is confirmed

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's budget for 2026 to 2027 has been agreed at a meeting of full Council yesterday (February 18).

The Council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the next three years was also approved at the meeting.

A Council Tax increase of 4.95 per cent, with two per cent on the Government's adult social care levy and 2.95 per cent on core Council services was confirmed, following a warning from the Council's Deputy Leader that this would be "very reluctantly" proposed.

This has left a balanced budget for the year ahead, but the Council continues to face budget pressures due to demand and costs of social care and services for children rising year on year, leaving a forecast budget gap of £18.4m by 2028 to 2029.

This is despite savings totalling close to £10million already identified through its 'Powering Our Future' programme.

The budget also considered the views of hundreds of residents who filled out the 'Let's Talk Money' budget consultation, which ran for six weeks.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Rowling, said: "As I have reiterated previously, we really did not want to put up Council Tax, but had we not done so there would have been an immediate and severe impact on services.

"The challenges we face cannot be understated, particularly those linked to the demand for our children's and adults' services, but plans are well underway to make the savings we need, with close to £10million identified already through our 'Powering our Future' programme by 2028 to 2029.

"The sort of savings we are making include through a review of how we support residents coming out of hospital, which has made annual savings of £500,000.

"Thank you to everyone who filled out our budget consultation - you can view the results of the consultation by visiting the dedicated webpage.

"And I also want to again reaffirm how ambitious we remain for the Borough, with lots to look forward to this year such as the completion of the Stockton Waterfront project, further redevelopment of Preston Park and regeneration works in Thornaby."

For information on Council Tax Reduction and other support available, visit our Apply for a Council Tax reduction webpage.