Durham County Council faces £20 million deficit

COUNCIL leader has issued a pressing call for additional funding to meet escalating costs.

- BILL EDGAR

Reform-led Durham County Council is staring at a £20m deficit next year unless bills are raised or cuts are made.

‘The ongoing financial strain on the local authority means that the government's current finance system is inadequate and fails to cover social care costs, according to council leader Andrew Husband.

Without extra funding, the council warned of potential cuts to crucial local services

Coun Husband implored the government to reconsider its Local Government Fair Funding Review 2.0 due to the disproportionate burden on council taxpayers.

“In County Durham, we provide services to some of the most deprived communities in the country, and this review completely fails to recognise the extreme financial challenges we face to cover rising social care costs that are out of our control,” he stated.