Dear Sir,
A motion was on the agenda at the Full Council meeting on 10th December in which Great Aycliffe Town Council proposed increasing its Council Tax by no more than 2.8% for 2026/27 – below the rate of inflation.
However, the new Reform UK administration at Durham County Council has reneged on its agreement regarding the LCTRS grants to parish and town councils. In effect, it is withholding money provided by the Government specifically to be passed on to these councils. This action is forcing parish and town councils to impose far higher Council Tax increases than would otherwise have been necessary.
Reform UK won control of Durham County Council on a pledge to freeze Council Tax. Yet the Government made it clear that, to receive additional funding under the Fair Funding Review, the Council must increase Council Tax by the maximum 4.99% each year for the next three years. If it failed to do so, it would be penalised through reduced funding.
By choosing instead to withhold around £1 million each year from parish and town councils – money intended for them – Reform UK is creating a situation in which these councils face either significant cuts to services and facilities or substantial Council Tax rises for local residents. Furthermore, it has abandoned our three-year agreement a full year early.
Reform UK’s actions have rendered its commitments meaningless and have damaged trust. The County Durham Association of Parish and Town Councils, representing more than 103 councils, shares this concern.
Regards,
Councillor Arun M. Chandran