Difficult decisions and years of uncertainty are ahead as Bexley Council deals with a multi-million-pound budget gap.

Councillors agreed to consult on ways to save up to £9m on Tuesday night as it looks to balance its books by next year.

The council, like those around the country, has had its cash from Westminster cut dramatically – with more than 50 per cent lost since 2010.

Bexley Council has dozens of proposed savings ideas which will be debated and consulted on before a final budget is given the go-ahead in March.

Councillor David Leaf, cabinet member for resources, said at Tuesday’s meeting: “These plans recognise the challenges we face over the medium term and put in place a package of measures to steer this authority on the right path between balance resources we have with the demands, needs and expectations of our residents.

“Arguments about austerity do nothing to change the reality of the situation in Bexley. The reality is as a council we need to become more self-sufficient and more accountable to the communities who trust us to act as custodians of their taxes. We need to look four years and beyond.”

Officers are confident they have identified ways to plug next year’s budget gap, but warned there are years of uncertainty ahead from 2020.

The council’s latest accounts show an £8.8m budget gap for next year, a figure which currently increases to £36.6m by 2022.

Councillor Alex Sawyer said the council was in a position to deal with budget pressures.

He said: “Although we cannot predict what happens nationally, locally we plan on a multi-year basis.

“The days of government, big or small, providing for large aspects of our lives are long gone. We cannot depend, rely or indeed trust the government to help us. In short, we stand on our own two feet.

“No doubt the next three and a half years will not be easy. For our part, we are set on our course and our destination is a better Bexley.”

Early proposals include scaling back “high cost” services such as support circles for disabled residents and reviewing how transport for adults and children with special needs is provided.

According to the financial strategy, it’s expected there will be an increase in council tax next year.

The consultation has now opened and can be found here.