Hartlepool among most expensive areas nationwide for average Band D council tax

It is among the top 20 highest charging councils in respect of Band D properties in the upcoming 2022-23 financial year from April 1, according to figures published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

The figures included adult social care and parish precepts, where applicable, but do not take into account the £150 council tax rebate announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to be provided to eligible households in bands A to D to help with rising energy prices.

Hartlepool Borough Council has also extended this rebate to Band E properties.

Band D properties are often taken as a typical indicator of council tax levels.

However the majority of households in our area in fact fall into lower property bands, meaning they will pay less.

The data showed that those living in Band D properties in Hartlepool faced a 4.93% hike this year and will pay £1,839.

In nearby Middlesbrough, Band D bills were going up by 3.01%, according to the figures, with householders paying £1,811.

The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2022/23 is £1,966, up £67 or 3.5% on the previous year.

There are only four local council areas in the country where the average council tax for a Band D property is falling – Mansfield, Selby, South Ribble and Wandsworth.

Stockton was just outside the top 20, placed 23rd when council areas were ranked highest to lowest.

There the average Band D council tax in 2022/23 will be £1,781 up 2.92%.

Average band D council tax for 2022/23, including adult social care and parish precepts, where appropriate, and the percentage rise on 2021/22

Northumberland (Unitary authority) £1,988 4.01%

Gateshead (Metropolitan) £1,972 2.99%

Rutland (Unitary authority) £1,968 4.81%

Nottingham (Unitary authority) £1,955 2.99%

Dorset (Unitary authority) £1,945 2.94%

Walsall (Metropolitan) £1,928 2.99%

Bristol (Unitary authority) £1,901 2.99%

Cornwall (Unitary authority) £1,862 3.15%

Liverpool (Metropolitan) £1,855 2.99%

Durham (Unitary authority) £1,853 2.94%

Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Metropolitan) £1,847 2.96%

Hartlepool (Unitary authority) £1,839 4.93%

Reading (Unitary authority) £1,830 2.99%

Isle of Wight (Unitary authority) £1,828 2.96%

Coventry (Metropolitan) £1,820 2.94%

Wolverhampton (Metropolitan) £1,818 2.99%

Stockport (Metropolitan) £1,811 3.50%

Middlesbrough (Unitary authority) £1,811 3.01%

Central Bedfordshire (Unitary authority) £1,801 2.10%

Oldham (Metropolitan) £1,797 3.99%

Note only the 20 highest charging areas are shown.