The Chancellor’s Autumn statement has put further pressure on the North Yorkshire County Council, with a further £2.5m in savings to found during 2014-15. The are working to manage the budget reductions to them but have admitted that it is inevitable that the quality of service will suffer.
Statement by County Councillor John Weighell, Leader, and Richard Flinton, Chief Executive, North Yorkshire County Council
A four-year programme of savings totalling £69m was approved by North Yorkshire County Council in 2010, as a result of the Government’s reduction in funding. That figure was amended earlier this year, as a result of further announcements and indications, to provide a further £22m saving in 2014-15. It now appears from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today that the savings in 2014-15 will have to increase by a further £2.5m.
We will continue to do everything within our power to implement these savings with the least adverse impact on the people of North Yorkshire, but it is inevitable that the quality of service we offer will suffer.
However, we welcome the announcement by Mr Osborne that the A1 will be upgraded to motorway standard.
The council has been lobbying for these essential improvements to the major strategic highway through North Yorkshire and the North East. We believe the upgrade is a key to the economic prosperity of North Yorkshire, and the closure of the road during the floods of this year has underlined the importance of major improvements. It is extremely gratifying that the Government has now responded with this announcement.
