Chilton Town Council discussed the Budget Proposal at its meeting on the 11th November 2025 and had agreed the following response:
We are aware that in current financial climate it is imperative that Councils review their budgets to manage resources and spending in line with the available financial envelope, while ensuring vital front-line services are supported and provide value for money for council taxpayers.
We do, however, raise concerns on behalf of Chilton residents of the impact of proposed increases to council tax for individuals and families in the low to middle income bracket. Individuals and families who are already struggling to make ends meet and are accessing supplementary support from foodbanks and charitable donations. We are aware that there is a recommendation that proposed changes to the LCTRS will only effect working-age people but a high number of Chilton residents fall into this category and will be subject to the proposed increased council tax.
Chilton, experiences significant levels of social and economic deprivation and, although often grouped with Ferryhill Station in analysis of IMD, is ranked among some of the most deprived areas nationally, some areas of the town remain in the top 10% most deprived and 66.3% of the Chilton’s population are within the top 30% most deprived areas. There are high levels of unemployment (some Lower Super Output Areas have 50% of the population in the top 10% most deprived nationally for employment) and income deprivation is a major issue. Most alarmingly child poverty was estimated at 33.2% in 2023/24, higher than the average for County Durham (28.8%) and health deprivation and disability is in the top 30% most deprived areas nationally.
In relation to crime and antisocial behaviour, Chilton has a high crime rate (approximately 147 crimes per 1000 people annually) compared to many other areas with County Durham (82-83 crimes per 1,000 people) and above the national average.
Given the demographic listed above we have concerns relating to the proposals to change the way front line services are delivered particularly in relation to health and wellbeing, disability, Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children, community protection and community action. Cutting funding to these services may have short term financial gain but will have long term consequences and ultimately result in an increased cost to the community.
Proposals to make saving in the services of Clean and Green, Find and Fix and grass cutting will also have an impact on the work we are doing in relation to community pride, regeneration and economic development. Ensuring our town is clean and well maintained has been identified as a priority as part of our community consultation. A well-maintained town is vital when looking to attract inward investment and regenerating the high street.
We would therefore request that more detail is provided on the how the saving will be made in these areas and what the impact will have on service delivery; that any reviews undertaken have an independent overview and that Town Councils have a role in the review process given that we know and have an in-depth understanding of the communities in which serve and represent.
For example:
• proposed cuts to Neighbourhood Wardens would benefit from an independent review of their effectiveness within specific communities, to determine the impact of any changes and make recommendation on future delivery or changes to strategies to address ASB.
• greater oversight on Neighbourhood budgets, and that Town Councils lead community consultations on proposals to ensure that they meet the broader needs of the community.
As a Council we are always available to discuss any of the points raised above and contribute to any further consultations or review of services on behalf of our Chilton Community.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
