Council remains ambitious for Stockton-on-Tees but the financial challenge continues

Increased cost pressures and demand for services mean Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council must continue to explore new ways of working.

That's what councillors will hear when they consider the latest report on the Council's finances at a Cabinet meeting next Thursday (December 12).

The report sets out the Council's financial position as of the end of September and explains that significant work is underway looking to address the financial pressures through the Powering our Future Programme alongside additional mitigating actions.

"We're continuing to work hard towards closing the budget gap and although our transformation programme is on track to deliver the £9million savings we need by 2027/28, increased demand for our services and rising costs mean we are projected to spend £6.6million more than we budgeted for this financial year," says the Council's Leader, Councillor Bob Cook.

He continued: "If this materialises, we will need to fund it through reserves and any one-off funding we may receive but we can't do that every year without our money running out. We know that costs and demand will continue to rise, so it's vital we continue to reshape how we deliver services.

"As things stand, there's still uncertainty around future funding streams, but we should know more details soon, with the Government's funding settlement expected to be announced later this month.

"Despite the challenges we are facing, our ambitions remain the same to deliver a bright future for everyone in Stockton-on-Tees, which is of course such a great place to live, work and play."