Your chance to have a say on how much council tax bills in Hartlepool should rise

Hartlepool Borough Council leader Cllr Shane Moore previously called for the ‘meaningful consultation’ after hitting out at the ‘appalling situation’ regarding social care funding from the Government.

The finance and policy committee last month heard council officers had hoped an extra £1billion would be going to local authorities to support children’s and adult social care pressures next year, but it will only be £300million.

However it was noted local authorities could raise a further £700million nationally if they adopt a 3% adult social care precept, which would form part of a resident’s council tax bill in 2021/22.

A consultation has now gone live to seek views on the adult social care precept in Hartlepool and funding for the sector in general.

It can be filled out at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HBC-BCT2020 and will close on Tuesday, December 22.

The survey, which is estimated to take three to five minutes to complete, asks if residents, or anyone they know, receives adult social care support, and if the Government should provide more funding to support services.

It also asks, in the absence of further funding increases from the Government, what level of adult social care precept would residents find ‘acceptable to protect services’ in 2021/22.

It states anything less than 3% will mean ‘some council services will need to reduce, stop or new fees and charges will need to be introduced’.

Cllr Shane Moore, speaking at the last finance and policy committee, said they would look to write to Government ministers to lobby them over the issue.

He said: “Given the appalling announcement in the spending review that the Government will break with the previous £1billion annual social care grant increase given to local authorities, and to instead only give us £300 million this year, this year of all years.

“The announcement was clear that they expect us as local authorities to pick up the £700million difference through a 3% social care precept.”

Council chiefs have said around 5,500 people in Hartlepool are supported by adult social care services, including 700 people who are living in 24 hour residential or nursing care.

The majority of people who are supported, around 3,800, are over 65 and 1,700 are aged between 18-64 – this includes people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory loss, mental health issues and carers.

Council officers previously noted the local authority faced nine consecutive years of funding cuts up to 2019/20, and since 2013/14 has seen core Government funding reduced by 41% and nearly £26million.

To partly address budget shortfalls in previous years the council made efficiencies and cuts – including the removal of 500 jobs – a reduction of 1 in 5 in the total number of people the council employs.

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