North Yorkshire Council has launched a consultation to gather the public’s views and pinpoint the key priorities for the council’s budget for the next financial year and the Council Plan up until 2030.
Residents are being encouraged to take part in the Let’s Talk Money survey, which will help inform decisions on the council’s budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
The authority says it is facing intense financial pressures, with providing services to rural parts of North Yorkshire increasing costs significantly.
Currently, 50 per cent of the council’s overall annual budget of £1.3 billion is used to fund support for vulnerable people – with the largest amount at 32 per cent going on adult social care and health.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “We are lobbying the Government with support from our MPs to ensure that we get the fairest funding deal possible for North Yorkshire.
“But we are concerned that Ministers do not fully understand the financial issues of running services in such a large rural area. Unless the Government changes its approach, we are likely to be dealing with very significant reductions in the grant we receive.
“We are committed to ensuring we offer the very best value for our taxpayers, and it is vital that we are able to see exactly what people see as the main priorities.
“All councils are facing significant financial challenges, and there are unrelenting demands for services including those for children and young people with special educational needs and adult social care.
“I would urge all our residents and businesses to give their views and have a say in such an important consultation for the county.”
North Yorkshire Council said it was handed one of the worst funding deals nationally for the current financial year which has led to an unexpected reduction in funding of almost £22 million.
This is due to the loss of £14 million in funding after the Government scrapped the rural services delivery grant as well as an unfunded share of the costs of higher National Insurance contributions.
It is predicted that there will be a total deficit of about £34 million by the end of 2027/28 due to a series of factors including inflation and demand on services, especially adult social care and special educational needs.
The financial deficit is likely to increase due to proposed changes in the way the Government allocates funds to local councils. Although final figures are not expected to be available until next month (December), it is estimated that North Yorkshire Council is set to lose between £15 million and £20 million under the new arrangements.
North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include finance, said: “We have always prided ourselves on the fact that our finances have been well managed, which has been so important with the challenges we are facing for our budget.
“The Let’s Talk Money survey will give the public the chance to let us know what they see as the priorities for the next financial year. We will listen and take into account all the views and comments we receive, but we cannot rule out that there will be some tough decisions going forward.”
Despite the financial challenges, a series of major projects are being introduced across North Yorkshire.
The Let’s Talk Money survey is asking people to say how important the council’s key priorities of affordable homes, promoting health and wellbeing, providing education and social care support, reducing the impact of climate change, supporting the local economy and transport are to them.
The public will also be asked if they are prepared to support an increase in council tax. Eight out of 10 people who responded to last year’s survey said that they would support a rise to help deliver critical services.
The results of the consultation will be included in a report on the proposed budget for the 2026/27 financial year which will be considered by the council’s executive in January before a final decision will be made at a full council meeting on February 13 next year.
The online survey is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/LetsTalk
A paper copy can be collected from local libraries or council offices and returned in the envelope provided. Residents can also email LetsTalk@northyorks.gov.uk or call 0300 131 2 131 and say ‘Let’s Talk Money’ when prompted to request a survey.
Surveys are also available by post by writing to Let’s Talk, North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AD. Accessible formats of the survey are available on request. The Let’s Talk Money consultation closes at midnight on Sunday, December 21.
More information about the current Council Plan is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/councilplan
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