SOUTH Craven people are being urged to have their say as part of North Yorkshire County Council’s budget consultation.

A series of events is being held where the public can talk to council officers, before completing an online consultation.

The sessions include one at Skipton Library on Wednesday, January 16, between 10am and noon.

County council leader, Carl Les, said: “Demand for our services continues to increase, particularly in the areas of social care for both children and adults, and our total funding is reducing.

“We estimate that by the end of austerity, every £1 we had to spend on services will have fallen to about 60p.

“That’s why it is really important that people take part in this consultation and we hear their opinions.

“Our consultation events will enable people to become better informed about the pressures and options facing the county before giving their views.”

The council spends £88 million a year on children’s services, with £22m going on home-to-school transport alone.

It also supports thousands of older people and younger adults, including people with learning or physical disabilities and mental ill health, as well as their carers.

Around 40 per cent of its overall budget – almost £250m – goes on public health and adult social care.

In addition, more than £100m a year is spent on areas such as waste, highways and winter gritting.

A projected budget shortfall of nearly £200m by 2021-22 has been met in part by the council achieving £157m of savings so far.

But it warns that a further £40m will need to be found to meet the remaining funding gap.

The consultation document summarises the council’s service priorities and seeks people’s views on the proposed savings approach for 2019-20.

Views can be given at northyorks.gov.uk/budget.

Comments should be submitted by January 21 to ensure they are considered by the council’s executive when it meets on January 29. But responses received after that date will still be included and shared with the full council when it meets next month.