Durham County Council has launched a public consultation on options including council tax increases and further efficiency savings as it grapples with its multi-million-pound deficit.
The Reform-led council forecasts an £83m budget deficit over the next four years, including £23m in 2027/28 alone.
Residents, businesses and community groups are being asked for their views on council tax rises ranging from a freeze to the maximum permitted 4.99% annually, alongside a mixture of new savings and efficiency measures under a transformation programme.
The council has already identified £21m in new savings but says a £62m shortfall would still remain even if all are delivered. Since 2010, the authority has made more than £300m in cuts.
Rising demand for statutory services such as children's and adult social care, home-to-school transport, and higher energy and waste costs are cited as the main drivers of the gap.
Deputy leader Cllr Darren Grimes said council tax rises were ‘effectively unavoidable’ given inadequate Government funding and urged residents to take part in the consultation.
