County Durham residents are being asked how the council should tackle an estimated £83.662 million budget shortfall and reshape services over the next four years.
Durham County Council has launched a consultation on its proposed 2027/28 budget and financial plan through to 2030/31.
The shortfall includes a £23.278 million gap in 2027/28, driven by rising costs and demand for services including social care, home-to-school transport, energy and waste management.
Cllr Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council and cabinet member for finance, said: "We’re committed to delivering high-quality services as efficiently as we can to ensure we get the best possible value for money for County Durham residents.
"Balancing our budget will be challenging once again this year.
"The funding settlement we’ve been allocated by Government fails to recognise the scale of the demand and rising costs we’re facing from services we’re legally bound to deliver.
"These are services on which some of our most vulnerable residents rely and the Government is not doing enough to support local councils.
"Instead, it is leaving the problem firmly at our door and the doors of local council tax payers."
Under its new Changing Together programme, the council is considering more savings, efficiency measures and council tax rises.
Durham County Council says it has delivered more than £300 million in savings since 2010.
New savings proposals total £21.5 million, but a £62.143 million funding gap would remain across the four-year plan even if they all go ahead.
The consultation asks for views on savings affecting back-office and frontline services, as well as ways to raise more income from services provided to customers.
It also covers long-term improvements to council operations, technology and community services under the Changing Together programme.
Residents are also being asked to choose between no council tax rise and increases of up to 4.99 per cent a year over the next four years.
That is the highest increase currently permitted and the rate assumed by central government when allocating council funding.
Cllr Grimes said: "We’ve identified more than £21 million in new savings across the council, but they are not enough to meet the budget shortfalls we face.
"Council tax increases are something we would always try to avoid, but in these circumstances, they have to be considered and are effectively unavoidable as things stand.
"Our communities are the driving force behind everything we do, so we want their views on how to tackle the budget gap caused by national decisions, economic policy and funding shortfalls.
"I would encourage everyone in our council area to take part in the consultation."
The public consultation is open until Sunday, November 15.
Residents can participate through the council’s online engagement platform, Let’s Talk County Durham, at www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk.
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Paper copies of the survey are available from any Durham County Council library or by emailing letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.
Online events will explain the budget proposals and give residents the chance to ask questions and share their views.
Sessions will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, October 6; 6pm on Wednesday, October 21; 11am on Thursday, November 5; and 6pm on Thursday, November 12.
Residents can register through the Let’s Talk County Durham website and will receive a link to join an event.
Reform gained overall control of Durham County Council in May 2025, after a Liberal Democrat, Conservative and independent coalition led the authority for four years.
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