HOUSEHOLDERS in Stockton are almost certain to face a 1.9 per cent rise in their council tax bills from April.

Most properties in the borough are in the lowest, Band A category and the rise will mean an extra 32p a week on their current £875 annual charge.

If councillors had decided to raise the tax by two per cent it would have meant a compulsory referendum.

The rise was agreed at Stockton Borough Council’s powerful cabinet committee on Wednesday but the final decision will be made by the Full Council at Stockton Town Hall at 7pm on Wednesday, February 25.

During Wednesday’s discussion the issue of Government cut backs to council funding at the same time as rises in health care costs was repeatedly referred to.

Stockton council is facing a 43 per cent cash reduction in Government Funding from £120m in 2010/11 to £68m in 2015/16.

At the same time the area is the 51st worst in the country for health deprivation and disability issues, according to Government statistics.

However the situation is worse in neighbouring, smaller Middlesbrough there has been similar scale reductions in Government funding but the district is fourth worst in the country for health deprivation.

Cllr Bob Cook, Labour leader of the council, said: “Some councils in the south have actually had an increased budget. It isn’t right, we believe the funding should be based on need.”

Cllr Anne McCoy added that local authorities would soon only be able to provide basic care for vulnerable children and adults. “But it is short-sighted,” she said. “Things like flowers and libraries bring a feel-good factor and in fact there are health benefits to do with mental well-being associated with that.”

The council must still identify more than £11m in savings on top of the £34m it has already identified in the coming years.

Members allowances are to be frozen again in 2015/16, contributing to a savings of £105,000.