North Yorkshire Council will utilise AI to help cut costs and balance its budget, says a senior councillor responsible for the authority’s finances.
Councillor Gareth Dadd, deputy leader and executive member for finance and resources, said he was hopeful that front-line services would not be hit despite the authority reporting a £20m loss in funding from the government’s recent settlement.
Senior councillors will meet next week to discuss the council’s budget for 2026/27 amid warnings that “tough decisions” will need to be made due to the shortfall.
Although the authority will see an increase in its core spending power of around £101m over the next three years, council chiefs say this rise is driven entirely by the assumption that it will increase council tax by 4.99 per cent in each year.
Cllr Dadd said the loss of further funding following the scrapping of the rural services delivery grant last year was a blow, but he welcomed the move to a new three-year settlement rather than the previous annual allocation.
He said:
“We might not be happy with the settlement, but at least we know where we are.
“The challenge now is to protect the front-line services and squeeze out as much of the back, hidden costs as we can.
“Hopefully, with a clear sight of where we are over the next three years, the front-line will not be affected.”
But the councillor added:
“If we don’t stick to a sensible budget planning regime, we will be, I guarantee it, in the same position as those other authorities which are looking to increase council tax to the max and looking for special help from the government — in effect bankrupt.”
Cllr Dadd said the authority was only around 18 months old following local government reorganisation in 2023 and work was still ongoing to rationalise council services.
He added:
“Within a year or so, once we’ve sorted the front-line services out, we’ll be looking at back office efficiencies and utilising AI where it’s appropriate."
The senior councillor said he was confident capital projects already committed to would not need to be cut, while further investment in capital schemes as part of the authority’s ‘invest to save’ programme was also envisaged.
The councillor stressed that the council’s stable financial position was a result of the reorganisation which took place in 2023 involving the merger of the county’s district and borough councils with the old North Yorkshire County Council.
He added:
“Colleague up and down the country woud give their eye teeth to be in the position we’re in."
Members of the council’s executive will meet on Tuesday next week to discuss the proposed budget, which totals just over £650m for the forthcoming financial year from April 1.
Accessibility boost as new changing places toilet opens in Malham
Tourist tax would be 'total game changer', says Mayor
Skipton Charity golf day to be held for 2025 Pride of Britain winner
North Yorkshire taxi drivers call for fare increase to offset Iran War fuel increases
Devolution will fail if decisions are York-centric, say angry North Yorkshire councillors
Craven Lawn Tennis Club to open grounds for fundraising weekend
Tory councillor used photo of tragedy which claimed the lives of 116 children to make point on social media
Airedale Hospital's cancer team launch radiotherapy website
Skipton MP raises concerns over changes to 580 bus service
Lothersdale and Glusburn students to climb Yorkshire Three Peaks for Airedale Hospital
Police investigate assault in Skipton
Glusburn Community & Arts Centre calls for funds to keep the lights on
Northern passengers reminded some train times will change from Sunday
Jumble sale to be held in aid of woman's cancer journey
Thornton Hall Country Park Continues to Grow with New Team Members
Skipton Boxing Club nominated for 'Local Hero' award
Skipton Beer Festival shares 2026 lineup
Clubberthon raises over £7,000 for hospice charity
Your Skipton collaborates with Skipton BID for first visual podcast
Skipton BID to host first ever launch event for Skipton Business Awards 2026
