People across North Yorkshire are being invited to air their views on spending priorities in the face of multi-million pound cuts in funding to public sector organisations in the county. North Yorkshire County Council will have to find savings of at least £69m over this year and the next four years.

Other public sector organisations in the county, including North Yorkshire Police, also face major funding challenges.

The county council, along with partners including the police, will be staging a series of consultation evenings in market towns across the county next month. Members of the public are urged to attend, to find out what kind of impact the cuts could have on services, and to register their views on the proposals.

"These events will be an opportunity for members of the public to have a direct input into the decision-making process," said Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council.

"Although the council will be giving a presentation on options for action, the meetings will very much be focused on the views and feedback of the people we serve."

He added: "These are decisions which will have a major impact on the services provided by the county council, and we genuinely want to hear the views of the public on their implementation."

Jeremy Holderness, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Police Authority said: "British policing is based on the premise that policing is a partnership between the people and the Police. As the Police services face up to the spending problems of the next few years, it is vital that the public are part of the solution to those problems. The public's input to our decision making is vital."

People in the Hambleton district are urged to attend a joint consultation event involving the county council, the police, and the police authority, at Northallerton Library next Tuesday (November 2) at 6.30pm.