Council tax in Newcastle is set to rise and city centre parking charges could be upped, under efforts to save more than £23m.
Local authorities across the region have been warning of an unprecedented financial crisis, with major cuts to services looming as cash-strapped councils try to balance the books at a time of rocketing inflation and recession. Newcastle City Council revealed its latest plans on Friday, warning it will need to save £23.2m in 2023/24 – and more than £63m over the next three years.
Its proposals include a 2.99% council tax rise, cutting social services budget by £6.5m, and a potential 20p-per-hour increase in car parking tariffs in the city centre. The announcement comes ahead of a new squeeze on public spending expected to be confirmed in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement next week, with Newcastle City Council having already had to find savings totalling £347m since 2010.
