A COUNCIL is still waiting to hear how much Government funding it will get for the year ahead.

Durham County Council had been expected to publish 2016-17 budget figures today (Tuesday, February 2), ahead of a cabinet meeting next Wednesday (February 10).

Instead, head of corporate finance Jeff Garfoot issued a brief report saying the local government finance settlement had still not been announced.

It is now expected on Thursday (February 4), with the council’s budget report following a day later.

The cabinet will agree its position the following Wednesday, ahead of a final decision being taken by a full council meeting on Wednesday, February 24.

The council expects to have to slash £308m from its pre-austerity budget and cut 2,350 jobs by 2020.

Savings of around £40m are expected for 2016-17 and the authority is poised to raise council tax by nearly four per cent, including two per cent for social care.

The Labour cabinet will meet at The Glebe Centre in Murton on Wednesday, February 10, at 10am.