Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough were today successful in delivering a budget which protects services and keeps Council Tax increases well below inflation.

The council, which the Lib Dems run in partnership with the Independent Group councillors, approved the budget with cross party support. This includes a Council Tax increase of 1.99% and a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care Precept. This is well below inflation currently running at around 10%.

Lib Dem Cllr Glyn Nightingale, who is the Cabinet Member responsible for Corporate Resources, said:

“All councils face severe challenges in economically difficult times, with the highest inflation for 40 years, the Truss government’s ineptitude forcing borrowing costs higher and long-term cuts in central government support. Equally, the Conservative government is committed to shifting the burden of taxation on to Council Tax.

“Obviously no one wishes to impose more burdens on local people but the blame rests entirely with the Conservative government.

“It is vital that we have been able to protect services for vulnerable residents and maintain help for economically vulnerable households with many having a reduction in their council tax bill.”

Cllr Karen King, Lib Dem Group Leader on the council, added:

“We have kept the Council Tax increase well below inflation, lower than the 5% increase expected by the Conservative government, lower than what many North-East councils plan and lower than 79% of councils across the country. This is on top of a zero increase last year.

”There is no alternative in the current economic climate.”