Cumbria County Council has today launched a public consultation on how it could work in the future, as it battles to balance its budget.
The council says more financial uncertainty is to come, as the government plans to reduce national public spending by another £37 billion over the next four years.
The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review - which could also affected Cumbria Police to the tune of £26 million, will not be known until next month.
The council already has to save £37 million over the next two years - and still has to figure out how to save £17.5 million of that.
Bosses say the savings can't be made without coming up with a new plan on how the council will operate in the next few years.
The public’s views are being sought on a refreshed Council Plan which will set out the opportunities and challenges faced, its vision and priorities for the future, and a possible 2% rise in the county council’s share of Council Tax.
Alongside the Council Plan, it is also consulting on how the Fire and Rescue Service will operate, its Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategy, and the Extra Care Housing Strategy.
Cllr Patricia Bell, Cumbria County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member responsible for resources, said: "These are extremely tough and challenging times. The cuts we have already made have been achieved by internal reshaping and the reduction of the workforce from 10,000 in 2012 to 7,000 now through voluntary redundancy and reduction in the number of managers. It is anticipated that this will further reduce to 5,200 by 2018.
“In 2017/18 and 2018/19 we will need to save another £37 million. We can only make these savings by changing the way we deliver services and by reduce non-statutory services.
“That is why this year we are focusing our public consultation on our draft council plan, new priorities and a set of new strategies to radically change the way we deliver services. All of which will help us achieve the level of savings required as a result of this government’s cuts.
“We have a legal duty to balance our books and we must live within our means. The journey ahead will be difficult but rather than sitting back bemoaning our fate we are actively embracing the change and taking control of our future.”
The County Council says it is very keen to hear from as many people as possible so that councillors can make informed choices when they agree the Council Plan and budget in February.
Details are here and the consultation document is also being circulated through libraries and council offices.
The consultation will run until the 22nd of January 2016.