A LABOUR chief has condemned the “massive” cuts facing local authorities, as councils and emergency services nervously await their funding settlements for 2016.

Durham County Council deputy leader Alan Napier said the £308m the authority must slash from its pre-austerity budget by 2020 meant “very difficult” decisions had to be taken, including losing another 400 jobs – taking the total axed since 2010 to 2,350.

Addressing a cabinet meeting at Durham Town Hall today (Wednesday, December 16), Cllr Napier said the 56 per cent real terms budget cut facing the Department of Communities and Local Government over the next four years was “staggering”.

The Government is expected to announce provisional grant settlements for public bodies such as councils and police forces tomorrow (Thursday, December 17) – the final day before the Parliamentary Christmas recess.

Cllr Napier said the lateness of the announcement made financial planning “ever more difficult” and the council’s budget proposals could be subject to significant changes.

For now, the council is planning to balance the books by spending another £29m of its reserves, outsourcing more public buildings and services to voluntary and community groups and increase council tax by up to four per cent, including a two per cent precept ring-fenced for social care that would raise an extra £3.5m.

Durham faces losing £85m of its Government grant over the next four years – and 74 savings proposals have been tabled in response.

Opposition groups are expected to announce alternative budget proposals in the coming weeks and the 2016-17 budget will be discussed by the Labour cabinet again and then agreed by a full council meeting in February.

Budget consultation sessions will take place in St John’s RC School, Bishop Auckland tonight (December 16) from 6pm to 7.30pm and tomorrow (December 17) at Shotton Hall, Peterlee from 1pm to 2.30pm and County Hall, Durham from 6pm to 7.30pm. Alternatively, visit durham.gov.uk/haveyoursay

The Northern Echo is holding an online poll asking readers whether they back the Government’s devolution proposals for our region. Visit thenorthernecho.co.uk