Stockton resident calls for council tax reform after feeling “naïve” about buying their first home

A councillor has criticised Stockton Council for “playing footloose with follies” after they raised council tax by 4.95% on April 1, leaving many residents feeling the strain.

Stockton Borough Council Tax is among the highest in the country and residents, politicians and even councillors deem it unfair. Band D properties in the North East will pay an average increase of £116.

Just months into owning his first home, Jody Leonard, 28, said he and his partner both work overtime but are already struggling with the council tax rise on top of the cost-of-living crisis, mortgage, and utility costs.

Jody said, “People in the North seem to be penalised for almost being poor, why should we have to pay more when, if we’re being honest, the quality of life up here is probably a lot worse than it is down South.”

He added, “We’re paying more and getting less, it doesn’t seem to make sense, so I do think there’s a need for reform.”

Councillor Tony Riordan, Conservative Group Leader for Stockton, said: “Stockton is not a wealthy area but has a proud heritage of people wanting to work hard and make for themselves and their families, a comfortable, but not well off, lifestyle.

The annual and maximum council tax rise hurts their pockets. Since 2016, the council tax demand has risen by 50%.”

MP for Stockton West, Matt Vickers, launched a petition against the council tax hike, calling it “a bombshell,” and criticising the Labour-led council’s decision.

He said, “With some councils being allowed raise the tax higher than 5% with no referendum, it sets a worrying precedent.” 

Councils nationwide are all dealing with extreme financial pressures – driven by inflation and rising social care costs – that the Local Government Association has labelled “extremely challenging.”

Yet, Stockton Council said its transformation programme ‘Powering Our Future’ has helped to cut long-term costs and reduce borrowing.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Deputy Leader of Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council, said: “We’re making excellent progress, already delivering over half the savings we need to achieve.”

She added: “We know that demand in particular for children’s and adult services will continue to rise. This means we can’t be complacent, and we must keep going with our transformation programme.”

Some believe that better budgeting and investment would have prevented the hike. Councillor Tony Riordan said, “It also goes toward servicing the ever-increasing borrowing costs that the present controlling group have incurred through disastrous planning and playing foot loose with follies, such as The Globe Theatre.”

Stockton Council spent over £30 million to renovate the Globe Theatre — yet the building is owned by the private company Jomast. Councillor Riordan questioned why public money is funding a venue that does not belong to the council.

The council passed the decision by a narrow 28–24 vote, revealing divisions within the council and residents – with people like Jody wanting further action from the Government.

(Image credit: Flickr, Stockton Council)