In Newcastle we are about to launch the consultation into our latest three-year plan. We have been working for the past six months to develop a range of proposals which will allow us to shield and protect the most vulnerable while delivering a balanced budget.

This hasn't been easy, taking into account we saved £220m since 2010. Like others in local government, we have had to think the unthinkable and deconstruct our approach to how we deliver services to our residents.