NORTH Yorkshire County Council is to receive its government funding every four years as it plans how to steer its finances through the Brexit process.

The council has written to the Government this week to accept the offer of a four year financial settlement, as opposed to its usual annual payment.

Whitehall has given all councils an October deadline to develop “efficiency plans” to qualify for a four year budget settlement that should help them with financial planning through to 2020.

The council has said the settlement still remains “acutely challenging” as it represents the phased removal of the Government’s revenue support grant by 2020. But it means they can plan their finances through a period of financial uncertainty.

“There is no doubt that even with this four year settlement, the county council faces some very tough challenges indeed,” said council leader, Cllr Carl Les.

“But I believe we are as well placed as any to ride the storm.

“During a recent peer review, when we were scrutinised by other local authorities, we were praised for our can-do attitude, our committed staff and for the tremendous grip on our finances. We have a prudent financial plan in place to help us through the choppy times ahead.”

To date North Yorkshire has delivered £116m savings and has firm plans for a further £36.3m. The council has already begun to consider ways to bridge the remaining funding gap of £14m through to 2019/20.

By 2020 the Government will phase out Revenue Support Grant and is committed to local government retaining 100 per cent of its business rate tax.

In a bid to reorder its finances, a number of initiatives have been introduced to mitigate the effect of funding cuts under the 2020 North Yorkshire change programme which involves:

• Working with housing and district partners to extend Extra Care housing into every market town across the county, which enables people to live independently in their own homes with support available as needed.

• Rolling out a Living Well services to help older people lead full, independent lives for as long as possible.

• Developing a commercial arm selling high quality services to other authorities.

• Continuing to reduce the cost of back office, management and administrative functions.

• Working as a government appointed partner to share the council’s successful practice in children’s social care.

• Extending a Stronger Communities programme which supports community initiatives across the county - from youth groups to libraries.