People in County Durham are being encouraged to take part in two consultations that will help shape the future direction of their local council and its finances.
Durham County Council has launched two consultations, on its 2026/27 budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) planning assumptions and forecasts, and on discretionary council tax reliefs in relation to empty and unfurnished, and second homes.
The first consultation is on budget forecasts for 2026/27 and the MTFP for the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.
Without any council tax increases, the local authority is facing a budget shortfall of around £71million over the next four years, with a forecast £21 million deficit next year, and is therefore consulting on:
Proposed savings across back-office functions, frontline services, and income generation for the financial year 2026/27.
Options for council tax increases over the next four years, including scenarios ranging from no increase to a five per cent annual rise.
Where and in what services the council might make savings in future years to help balance its budget.
Feedback received will be used to help the council shape its budget proposals for 2026/27 and beyond, and identify areas to where savings will be prioritised.
The authority expects to consult again, on further savings proposals, in November. Meanwhile, the second consultation is on exemptions to the authority’s long-term empty and unfurnished properties, and second homes council tax premium.
Currently, the authority’s Section 13A policy provides discretionary exemptions to the council tax premium on long term empty and unfurnished properties, and on second homes.
This is over and above what the government statutory guidance provides for, and the level offered by other local authorities, with many councils not providing any relief at all, and comes at a cost of around £827,000.
The few councils that do provide relief do so for a limited time period. Changing the council policy to align it to government guidance and bring it in line with other authorities could save the council around £550,000.
The council is reviewing the policy and considering the following:
Option 1: Fully align the existing Section 13A policy with the government’s regulations. This option would see the local discretion removed.
Option 2: Introduce a 12-month time limit cap to the Section 13A policy. This would see the current local discretion retained, but the policy would limit the time the relief could be in place for.
Option 3: No changes to the current Section 13A policy. This would see the local discretion remaining as it is, with no cap on the amount of time it is available.
Full details of both consultations can be found online at LetsTalkCountyDurham.co.uk, with people able to take part until Friday 14 November.
Cllr Darren Grimes, the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member for finance, said: “We have been and remain fully focused on identifying efficiency savings and ensuring value for money for residents.
“We will do everything we can to avoid having to increase council tax for our hardworking residents. However, we are facing a significant budget gap of more than £70 million over the next four years, and we really want people’s input on how we best address this.
“Both these consultations are really important, and we encourage everyone in our council area to have their say.”
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
