TOUGH decisions on potential job losses and possible cuts to public toilets and countryside services may have to be made if Christchurch council is not able to balance its books in the next few years.

That was the message from members and top finance officers at a meeting of the policy and resources committee on Wednesday evening.

Discussing the budget for the next year and beyond, members of the committee also approved a £5 rise in Christchurch's share of the council tax.

The 2.63 per cent increase for a Band D property will go to full council for ratification.

Speaking to members, Dan Povey, partnership financial services manager said he was able to present a balanced budget for the next year.

But he warned that the situation in 2019/2020 was likely to be bleaker as the council faces a potential £213,000 budget gap.

This is due to the reduction in government funding, as well as the way in which business rates are paid among other challenges.

Strategic director, Ian Milner, said: "We are now focusing our minds on 2020.

"We do need to start thinking how we are going to address that.

"I would also bring attention to the gap in East Dorset's budget which is three times that."

When asked, he said the savings needed between both councils for that year, could equate to around 40 job losses - five per cent of the work force.

"But there are several options. I am not suggesting that these are the things the council should do", he added.

He said the sum needed could also equal an eight per cent rise in car parking charges, or cuts to taxi tokens and public toilets.

Committee chairman, Cllr Trevor Watts said: "I think we will all agree that the decisions that we make have a far reaching effect going forward.

"These are difficult times; if anyone thought austerity was over think again.

"Going forward we have a lot of hard big decisions to make."

Deputy council leader, Claire Bath added: "I am pleased to see the increases in revenue through business rates and I am sure that is partly with the work we have been doing on economic growth in the area.

"There are changing times ahead of us; they won't be easy."