CUMBRIA County Council has today launched a public consultation on a major shake-up affecting care for the elderly and fire services in the face of Government cuts.

The Government has announced plans to further reduce public spending by £37billion over the next three to four years which will hit local government spending hard.

In 2016/17 the council needs to deliver savings of £37m still has to find £17.5m.

Now the public's views are being sought on a refreshed council plan designed to deliver those savings but that will 'fundamentally change the way the council works'.

The plan proposes the closure of five fire stations across Cumbria - in Arnside, Staveley, Walney, Lazonby and Frizington - and sets out to cut adult social care services by £5m.

The public is also being consulted on a proposed two per cent rise in council tax.

MORE TOP STORIES: Cllr Patricia Bell, the authority'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.

“We can only make these savings by changing the way we deliver services and by reduce non-statutory services. “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.”

More information is available at www.cumbria.gov.uk/budgetconsultation The consultation runs until January 22.