Views sought over council's £1.3bn budget spend

North Yorkshire Council said it still faced “major financial challenges”

People living in North Yorkshire have been asked for their views on how the council should spend its £1.3bn budget in 2024-25.

Responses to the Let's Talk Money survey, which has just been launched, would help inform what the council's priorities would be, a spokesperson said.

The authority delivers many services such as waste collection, recycling, social care, education and road maintenance.

Despite making savings by merging eight councils last year, North Yorkshire Council said it still faced "major financial challenges", according to the spokesperson.

This was partly due to growing demand for adult social care and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, they added.

Currently, 50% of the authority's overall budget is spent on helping vulnerable people.

Meanwhile highways and transport takes up 9% of the budget, housing uses 5% and education uses 6%.

Residents have been asked what their priorities are for next year's council budget

Residents in North Yorkshire have been asked how important the council's key priorities were to them, including affordable homes, promoting health and tackling climate change.

Providing education and social care support, supporting the local economy and transport are also among the topics.

Additionally, the consultation asks if the public would support an increase in council tax.

The council’s deputy leader and spokesperson on finance, Gareth Dadd, said: "Our finances are managed well, but we cannot rule out tough decisions going forward.

"We start next year with a £28m shortfall and that will rise to £48m within a year, despite reorganisation savings."

Mr Gadd forecast an overspend of £9m, due to increased demand and rocketing prices in adult and children's services.

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