Free Parking Saved, as Revised Budget Proposals Are Set to Go Before Council Meeting for Approval....

A Number of Council Services that were set for Chop last year will now not go ahead, as new Budget Proposals are set to go before the full council next week for Approval.....

14th Feb 2025

HBC Exposed understands that several council-funded services that were on the chopping block have been saved at the last minute, following intense efforts to secure their continuation.

The proposals put forward late last year could have seen even Christmas Trees being pulled from the councils budget.

Christmas trees, council-funded events, and even free parking were all set to be axed as part of budget proposals going before the full council meeting next week. However, last-minute negotiations have reportedly resulted in these services being salvaged just in time....

It seems Hartlepool's set to see Landlord Licensing being Introduced in the not too distant future...

The councils hoping Landlord Licensing will lead to an end of some areas descending into 'ghettos'....

One of the key proposals still moving forward is said to be the progression of a Landlord Licensing Scheme, aimed at tackling the private rental sector crisis in Hartlepool. In addition, a £35,000 events budget has been secured, along with the retention of car parking promotions. Had these been cut, Hartlepool would have lost free Sunday parking in the town’s shopping centre, as well as Christmas parking promotions.

The list of the services set to be saved under new proposals set to go before the councils full meeting

Furthermore, HBC Exposed has discovered that Christmas trees, initially penned in to be scrapped from various locations around the town, will now be saved, with the financial turnaround allowing these reversals said to have been largely attributed to a more favourable budget outlook, including increased business rates revenue and headroom in national insurance contributions.

The £271,000 budget recalculation has ensured that several council services will remain in place. However, residents will still be facing a nearly 5% council tax increase, alongside a rise in the Cleveland Police and Fire precept when the plans are set for approval in just days.

The council report, set to be presented before the full committee on February 20th, states:

"Given the positive settlement and additional much-needed funding for Hartlepool, a small number of budget savings are proposed to be removed in order to protect council services."

The measures reportedly come at a total budget amendment cost of £201,000, consisting of A £35,000 events budget, Retaining of Car parking promotions, Christmas tree provision, The Re-phasing of the public toilets review, & a Reduction of allotment fee increases, which HBC exposed understands will see allotment holders seeing an up to 10% increase in their rents....

In addition, further investments have been proposed to address key local priorities, including:

A new mechanical street cleaner and crew, Progression of a new Landlord Licensing Scheme & The reintroduction of night-time public space closures

The Hartlepool Labour Group released a statement online regarding the budget decisions:

"The Conservatives cut funding for free parking in Hartlepool – but we know how vital it is for local businesses, especially at Christmas. That’s why we’ve REJECTED calls to scrap free parking in December and are protecting it to support our high streets!"

With the final budget set to be debated next week, it remains to be seen how residents will react to the mix of service protections and Council Tax increases. One thing is clear: last-minute budget adjustments have helped prevent cuts that would have significantly impacted the community, but critics claim they've come at a heavy price.

A price being shouldered by the local tax payer in April !