News and press releases

South Tyneside Council has today (10th March) set its Council Tax for 2011-12.

The Council's Cabinet tabled a Council Tax freeze, which will see householders in the Borough continue to pay the second lowest Council Tax bills in Tyne and Wear.

It will also allow the Council to access a £1.45 million Council Tax freeze grant.

But the Council is still having to find savings of £35million from its budget because of severe reductions in Government funding.

Councillor Ed Malcolm, Lead Member Resources said: "The Government's decision to impose severe cuts to the funding that local councils receive has left us facing unprecedented financial pressures. South Tyneside is one of the worst hit areas in the country and is suffering more than most because the Government has also withdrawn additional grants targeted at areas like ours with higher levels of deprivation.

"However we are determined to limit the impact of these cuts on already stretched household budgets. These are undoubtedly tough times for our residents and because we are totally committed to helping people we are freezing Council Tax this year.

"The freeze is part of a budget that will not just deliver efficiencies and savings but will also fund a range of measures to improve, invest in and support services whilst encouraging economic development and regeneration.

"We are seeking to protect frontline services as much as possible by concentrating on delivering savings through new ways of working but also ensuring the Borough is well-placed to secure further economic regeneration and recovery.

"We hope news of a Council Tax freeze will make things a little easier for our residents."

Pres/rr/fin/abpr666ck

• Back to news and press releases