The extra amount Darlington residents will pay on their council tax bills if a proposed five per cent increase is approved can be revealed. 

Tax-paying residents living in the majority of Darlington homes could face an increase of nearly £100. 

People living in Band A homes in areas that do not have specific requirements could see their bills rise by £74.93. Band B bills could increase by £81.42, while Band C properties could go up by £99.91. 

Specific requirements are in place for the surrounding Darlington borough villages, including Middleton St George, Heighington and Hurworth. 

It comes after Darlington Borough Council warned of “significant and unparalleled financial challenges” as it revealed plans to increase council tax by five per cent, increase charges and make cuts. 

A proposed council tax increase of 2.99 per cent, plus a social care precept of two per cent are among the main changes affecting residents being proposed by the council.  

The council said: “Darlington currently has the second lowest council tax in the North East and as such we cannot raise sufficient income from charges to fund the spending pressures we face.  Every one per cent increase in council tax increases revenue by approximately £0.67 million.”

Darlington currently has a low tax base with 44 per cent of properties in Band A and 79 per cent in Band A - C. 

See how the proposed changes could impact you

How much residents could pay if the 5% rise is approved How much residents could pay if the 5% rise is approved (Image: The Northern Echo)

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“If Darlington had the average England Band D council tax level, we would generate an additional £8.7 million per year,” the council added. “This highlights the disparity in how local government is funded.”

Town Hall officials have set out how the local authority plans to save £3.649 million in 2025/26 and an overall £21.5 million over the next four years. The council continues to face significant financial pressures, with demands increasing in vital areas such as adult social care and homelessness. 

Councillor Stephen Harker, Labour Leader of the council, said: “We have wrestled with the challenge of proposing a balanced budget that achieves real savings while protecting, as far as possible, the vital services that people depend on.”