Social Value Ideas for Hartlepool Borough Council

Budget gap and tax rise

Council approved the 2025/26 budget and statutory council tax calculations despite a £16.5 million budget gap. The budget included around £3 million of savings, a 4.99% council tax increase, and recog…

“11 a 2 mtfs 2025 to 2026 subject budget and council tax determination report of the finance and policy committee coun Harrison I'm just in competition…”

Freeze core council tax

The council debated and supported a budget approach that freezes core council tax while adding a social care precept. Speakers framed this as a response to household affordability pressures and as a w…

“So my amendment is that we freeze core council tax and that we introduce a 1.9% adult and social care preset for the budget 2627. Thank you. >> Can I …”

WASPI women motion

Council supported a motion urging ministers to reconsider the treatment of WASPI women and improve transparency around state pension changes. The debate emphasised fairness, misinformation, and the fi…

“C supporting BBY women coun Harrison I'm extremely proud uh to propose this Motion in support of the wasby women women who worked extremely hard paid …”

Treasury management approved

The council approved the 2025/26 treasury management strategy covering borrowing, investments, prudential indicators and minimum revenue provision. The strategy prioritises affordability and low-risk …

“c treasury management strategy 2025 26 the report of audit and governance committee councilor Mo sorry any is sent to 9 B the review of The Constituti…”

Council tax reform motion

Council endorsed a motion supporting national reform of council tax and a parliamentary petition, arguing that the current system is outdated and regressive. Members discussed privacy and neutrality c…

“reforming council tax for heartley Council body thank you madam Deputy Mayor um I'll try to stay within the five minutes um try being the word with me…”

COVID-19 Financial Support - Government Funding Package

Hartlepool received total government support of £59 million over pandemic period: £37.9 million (64%) to businesses through rates relief and grant schemes; £8.6 million (15%) to households and care se…

“the scale of the support that the government provide at the hartley pool it's 59 million pounds and 64 of that so 37.9 million is support that's gone …”

Budget Deficit Deferred to 2022-23

Budget deficit of 5.639 million pounds deferred to 2022-23 due to council tax freeze decision

“finance and policy committee recognized this defers a budget deficit into 2223 and will all need to work together to address this position uh next yea…”

Council Tax Freeze Approved for 2021-22

Full Council approved a total freeze on both the core council tax rate and the adult social care precept for 2021-22. This decision defers budget deficits into 2022-23 and requires use of reserves to …

“a freeze in the core council tax and adult social care precept was recommended from finance and policy for 21 22...the council approves these proposal…”

Children's social care funding gap

Members described acute and ongoing financial pressure in children's social care due to low government funding, high placement costs, and families being relocated into Hartlepool without adequate noti…

“Yet the way that the government funds this responsibly responsibility is fundamentally flawed. The so-called prevention grant uses the same methodolog…”

Children's social care funding gap

The council described a severe pressure in children's social care, with an in-year deficit falling from £6 million to £3 million through tighter control of agency spend, placement costs, and contracts…

“Earlier this year, we faced an in-ear deficit of 6 million just to meet our statutory responsibilities in relation to children's social care. But the …”