EAST CLEVELAND residents will be spared increases in their council tax bill this year from the five town and parish councils who are able to levy a precept charge.

The five – Guisborough Town Council, Lockwood Parish Council, Loftus Town Council, Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council and Skelton and Brotton Parish Council – all decided to freeze existing precept levels going into 2021/22 following recent meetings.

Meanwhile, in a vote on Thursday members of Redcar and Cleveland Council will be asked to approve a proposed overall 3.99% increase in its charge, comprising a 2% rise in the adult social care levy and 1.99% in standard council tax.

The council says it is facing significant financial pressures in respect of social care services, meaning it must find an extra £4.4m in 2021/22.

Nonetheless its council tax proposals for the next 12 months supplement what is said to be a “balanced budget, designed to encourage economic growth and efficiency and support the vulnerable” following the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional financial support will be made available to those on the lowest incomes after the council was allocated one-off funding from the Government to help the economically vulnerable during the covid-19 crisis.

This will mean an estimated 13,000 residents who already receive council tax support will see their bills further cut by £75.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, the cabinet member for resources, said: “No councillor wants to put up council tax, but we have to ensure the council is sustainable and a balanced budget is in place to protect and invest in key frontline services, support the vulnerable and look after the adults and children in our care.

“The pandemic has shown how important it is that the council is ready to help those most in need and this will continue into the future. 

“Our focus will be on the services our residents need and expect.”

He added: “Residents can also be reassured that money will not be wasted. 

“We will continue to monitor all expenditure and ensure the council is run effectively and efficiently. 

“Fundamentally, it is vital the council has the resources to do the job local residents expect from their elected representatives.”

The council has faced a double financial whammy in the past 12 months due to the impact of a cyber-attack on its computer systems in February last year, which cost more than £10m, and the costs of the continuing pandemic.

Local tax bills for 2021/22 will also include a 1.99% increase in the Cleveland Police precept and a 1.9% rise for Cleveland Fire Authority to pay for their respective services.