Nottinghamshire County Council warns of £60m budget shortfall by 2026

Nottinghamshire County Council has warned it faces a budget shortfall of tens of millions of pounds over the next three years.

The Tory-run council estimates by 2026/27 it will need to spend £60.2m more than its predicted income.

It blamed inflation, rising costs and an increase in social care expenses.

However the council said it was not in a position where it would become effectively bankrupt as others, like Birmingham City Council, have.

Councillor Richard Jackson, cabinet member for finance, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service taxpayers should be reassured the funding gap would be closed.

"Like councils right across the country, we're under a lot of pressure in terms of social care services. Inflation has also stayed higher for longer which impacts on our budget," he said.

"We started from a good sound financial position, and we're confident that we will get to a balanced budget when we come to the end of [the financial year] in February.

"What we don't want to do is to be cutting services. We want to change the way that we deliver them to save money rather than affecting the services that people rely on.

"The spending this current financial year is right on target, which is very hard to achieve."

Mr Jackson added: "We're in a far better position than many other councils. We've got a good position with our reserves and rainy day money that was put away."

A report on the council's financial situation will be discussed by its cabinet on Thursday.

Residents have until 12 November to take part in the council's budget online consultation.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].