Sunderland council tax set to rise by 3.99% in 2020/21

Spending chiefs at Sunderland City Council have confirmed they are planning an increase of 3.99%.

Government guidelines set this as the ‘maximum allowable’ without gaining public approval through a referendum.

However, families on Wearside are unlikely to get full details of their bills for 2020/21 until February when Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police are expected to provide details of their own ‘precepts’ to be added.

“The government’s core spending calculation assumes councils will increase council tax by the maximum allowable,” said Graeme Miller, the leader of the council, told a meeting of the ruling cabinet.

“But we’re still awaiting funding announcements around the public health grant and other funds.”