Middlesbrough Council passed its new budget for the coming year last week, with 24 members voting in favour, 14 against and one abstention.

The vote, held on February 19, followed lots of debate between Labour, Conservative and Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) councillors.

The most-discussed moments of the meeting included the 4.99% council tax increase, split into a 2.99% general increase as well as a further 2% ring-fenced for adult social care. Members of MICA took particular issue with the cost for residents. During the meeting, there was also much pride on Labour’s side of the council chamber that there would be a significant increase in investment in area care.

The draft budget plans were published last year, in November, ahead of a consultation period. These plans were updated in the new year, with additional funding from the central government as part of the local government finance settlement. In both sets of proposals, there was a focus on strengthening the authority’s reserves. This is because as of April 2024, Middlesbrough had the fifth lowest level of reserves relative to the size of its budget of all English single tier councils.