People will be invited to have their say on Durham County Council’s spending plans, if proposals for a consultation are given the go-ahead. Members of the authority’s Cabinet will hear next week that a further £37 million of savings are needed over the next four years. This is in addition to the £209 million of savings that have been achieved since 2011/12.
The figures are included in the latest update to the authority’s Medium Term Financial Plan, which outlines its long-term funding outlook and spending priorities.
The report also outlines proposals for how £14.8 million of savings can be made during the 2018/19 financial year and seeks approval from Cabinet to carry out a consultation on these spending plans.
Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “The achievement of an additional £37 million of savings over the next four years will be extremely challenging, particularly as there is significant uncertainty over the funding we will receive beyond 2019/20.
“The emphasis since 2011/12 has been to protect frontline services by maximising savings from management and support functions. However, this is becoming much more difficult as the scope for further savings in these areas diminishes.
“Nevertheless, we have developed proposals for how savings can be made during the next financial year and now need to consult the public on these plans.
“Consulting with residents enables us to check that we are working to protect the services that residents regard as priority areas.”
If agreed, the consultation will begin this month and continue until the beginning of December, with feedback presented to Cabinet in February 2018.
Residents will be invited to give their views at Area Action Partnership Board meetings and community events.
