Press Release for Residents of Middlesbrough
Residents are being invited to have their say on Middlesbrough Council's budget proposals for 2025/26.
Mayor Chris Cooke and his Executive have put forward savings and income growth totalling around £7m for next year, rising to £8.7m in 2026/27.
Three public consultation events will be held around Middlesbrough in the coming weeks, while residents can express their views on the budget using an online survey.
Many of the budget's savings proposals build on work done to transform the way the Council delivers its highest cost services, including providing social care for adults and children.
A 4.99% increase in Council Tax is proposed, with 2% of that increase set aside to pay for adult social care.
The budget will also see investment into area care for the first time in ten years.
A priority area for Mayor Chris Cooke, it means more staff and time for grass cutting, street cleaning and pest control.
Further investment would see extra money for youth services and more staff to help bring events to Middlesbrough that can support jobs and local businesses.
Mayor Cooke has set out how the Council would ‘recover, reset and deliver’ for the people of Middlesbrough.
In September this year, the Government announced it was removing the Best Value Notice issued in January 2023, recognising progress that had been made.
Mayor Cooke said: "When I was elected in 2023, the Council's finances were on a cliff edge and our budget last year was focused on recovery.
"While we're not completely out of the woods, I'm pleased that this year I can propose investment into key services - like area care and youth services - for the first time in a long time.
"I would encourage people in the town to engage with this consultation as we continue to take Middlesbrough forwards."
Four proposals judged to potentially affect frontline service delivery levels are subject to public consultation.
Mayor Cooke and Cllr Nicky Walker, Executive member for Finance, will attend three community events where members of the public can discuss the budget proposals.
Spaces for the events at the Community Hubs in Thorntree (December 12), Marton (December 16) and Acklam (December 17) are limited and must be booked online in advance.
Residents can read more information about the budget, access the online consultation survey and book a spot at one of the in-person events by visiting: middlesbrough.gov.uk/letstalk
Residents are being invited to have their say on Middlesbrough Council's budget proposals for 2025/26.
Mayor Chris Cooke and his Executive have put forward savings and income growth totalling around £7m for next year, rising to £8.7m in 2026/27.
Three public consultation events will be held around Middlesbrough in the coming weeks, while residents can express their views on the budget using an online survey.
Many of the budget's savings proposals build on work done to transform the way the Council delivers its highest cost services, including providing social care for adults and children.
A 4.99% increase in Council Tax is proposed, with 2% of that increase set aside to pay for adult social care.
The budget will also see investment into area care for the first time in ten years.
A priority area for Mayor Chris Cooke, it means more staff and time for grass cutting, street cleaning and pest control.
Further investment would see extra money for youth services and more staff to help bring events to Middlesbrough that can support jobs and local businesses.
Mayor Cooke has set out how the Council would ‘recover, reset and deliver’ for the people of Middlesbrough.
In September this year, the Government announced it was removing the Best Value Notice issued in January 2023, recognising progress that had been made.
Mayor Cooke said: "When I was elected in 2023, the Council's finances were on a cliff edge and our budget last year was focused on recovery.
"While we're not completely out of the woods, I'm pleased that this year I can propose investment into key services - like area care and youth services - for the first time in a long time.
"I would encourage people in the town to engage with this consultation as we continue to take Middlesbrough forwards."
Four proposals judged to potentially affect frontline service delivery levels are subject to public consultation.
Mayor Cooke and Cllr Nicky Walker, Executive member for Finance, will attend three community events where members of the public can discuss the budget proposals.
Spaces for the events at the Community Hubs in Thorntree (December 12), Marton (December 16) and Acklam (December 17) are limited and must be booked online in advance.
Residents can read more information about the budget, access the online consultation survey and book a spot at one of the in-person events by visiting: middlesbrough.gov.uk/letstalk