A COUNCIL leader has called on the government to “stop dithering” and tell councils how they will be funded after 2021. 

Extra money has been granted to authorities this year after ten years of cuts in settlements from central government.

But questions remain about what happens after next year given delays to the “fair funding review” and hold-ups on plans to let councils retain a larger slice of business rates. 

Stockton Council leader Cllr Bob Cook has urged Westminster to let his team know what’s going on.

The Labour leader added: “What we know for certain is that annual government funding to the council reduced by £73m between 2010 and 2020. 

“The one-off settlement they’ve given us for this coming year is a bit better than in previous years.

“But what we don’t know – in fact we have no idea – is how we’ll be funded after 2021 –  which is making it impossible for councils across the country to plan ahead. 

“The government started its fair funding review some time ago but we’re still none the wiser about the outcome. 

“We’re not asking for special treatment in the north – we just want to be treated fairly.”

The council’s Labour leadership has lined up a 3.9 per cent tax increase in the borough to be agreed this week. 

Cabinet members signed the move off on Thursday alongside its medium term financial plan up to 2024. 

Bosses say this funding will help pay for increased pressure on children’s services in Stockton and a new £3m fund to invest in borough town centres.

This comes alongside a £30m “borrow and spend” pot agreed in 2018 which has sparked some protests over how much has been spent in Stockton itself. 

Garry Cummings, director of finance at the council, told the cabinet meeting more money had come from the government this year – particularly for adult social care.

But part of this extra money will be raised through a two per cent social care levy on bills. 

Mr Cummings said: “The uncertainty around local government funding is still there unfortunately, we don’t have any idea what the financial settlement is after next year.”

The sums are going to be influenced by the government spending review, the ongoing fair funding review and the localisation of business rates. Mr Cummings hoped the trio of moves would be completed this year to allow the council to cut its cloth for years ahead.

He told the cabinet £8.7m the government granted in September was welcome – but added he didn’t know how much of that would continue. 

A Ministry of Housing, Communities Local Government spokeswoman said councils were getting £49.2bn next year – calling it the “biggest year-on-year real term increase” in spending power in ten years. 

But there was no word on when the future settlements would be revealed.

The spokeswoman added: “Stockton Council will have access to a £9.6m increase in funding next year to deliver vital services for residents – including social care.

“The funding plans provide certainty for councils which are responsible for delivering the services their communities need and will give local residents the final say on council tax increases.”

The council will vote on the tax rise and the financial plan up to 2024 next week.

The Conservative opposition group are expected to table amendments ahead of a vote on Wednesday evening at Stockton Town Hall.