Durham Reform criticised for proposed tax rise and cuts in budget

Liberal Democrats have criticised Durham County Council’s proposals to increase council tax and cut services as it works to balance its budget for the next four years. 

The party also sent a warning to other North East residents about Reform’s decisions ahead of local elections later this year. 

Reform council leaders in County Durham said “difficult decisions” will need to be made, but are confident the local authority will continue to provide effective services for residents. 

A 3.1% council tax increase for County Durham residents is proposed to help curb rising costs and demand for key services, including adult and children’s social care.

Yet, opposition parties are not convinced. 

The County Durham Liberal Democrats said: “This is the worst of all budgets: council tax up; services cut; projects which would save money scrapped; and the public being hit with increased costs, including a 40 per cent increase in permit charges to park outside your own home and garden waste charges up by five times the rate of inflation.”

Reform gained overall control of Durham County Council in May 2025 after the former Joint Administration, made up of Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and Independents, led the authority for four years. 

Proposals to cut neighbourhood wardens, grass cutters and litter pickers have been criticised alongside potential changes to household waste recycling centres. 

In December, the local authority agreed to change its council tax discount scheme, meaning most residents will have to pay at least 10 per cent of their bills, to ensure all residents contribute to the cost of services provided by the council.

The decision led to political rivals warning about the impact on thousands of residents in the county. “The poorest residents, those with less than £70 a week for essentials, are being hit with council tax increases of as much as £7 a week,” the Liberal Democrats added. 

Council officers warned that if the authority does not increase its council tax, the forecast budget deficit will be £9.344 million in 2026/27 and £51.792 million across the next four years.

Final decisions on the council’s proposals will be made in February as part of the final budget-setting process.

In a warning to the region after eight months of Reform leadership, the Liberal Democrats said: “Reform hasn’t got a clue what they are doing, and for anyone with elections this May in the North East, look at what Reform are doing here. 

“If you live in Gateshead, Newcastle or Sunderland and want public services protecting you need to vote Liberal Democrat because the last thing you want is a Reform administration making a mess of your area too.”

Defending its decisions, Reform said its proposals have been shaped by past decisions made by the former joint Administration. 

Darren Grimes, council deputy leader, responded: “The Liberal Democrats are slinging mud to hide the fact that they’re covered in it.

Darren Grimes, deputy council leader. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“They talk about service cuts, yet they’re the ones who left us a legacy of bloated costs and dwindling results.”

The former administration’s financial management of the neighbourhood warden’s service was also condemned by current council leaders. 

Cllr Grimes added: “If you want a preview of what Reform will do in Gateshead, Newcastle, and Sunderland, it’s this: we stop the rot, we bin the waste, and we put the taxpayer first. The Lib Dems can keep crying wolf, but the voters of the North East aren’t as daft as they think.”