SUPPORT to ease the burden of public sector cuts is to be outlined next week.

A report to go before Durham County Council’s cabinet on Wednesday will propose help for communities and businesses in the face of further government funding cuts.

The authority needs to make cuts of £41 million over the next four years on top of £209 million since 2011/12.

Councillors will be asked to continue to operate the authority’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which for the past five years has offered eligible residents a discount against council tax.

There is also a proposal to make care leavers exempt from paying council tax up to the age of 25.

Finally, there are plans to support small businesses losing Rate Relief following revaluation of their properties, which could see up to 600 businesses benefit.

Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “The financial outlook for the council continues to be extremely challenging”.

He added: “We are putting forward a number of schemes that will help to lessen the impact of austerity on residents and businesses in the county.”