The new chief executive of Leeds City Council has warned the city is facing one of its "most challenging years" financially for "a long time".
Ed Whiting was appointed in January after Tom Riordan stepped down following 14 years at the helm.
Four months into the role he said the council needed to "live within our means" and faced "tough choices" as it looks to save almost £104m by the end of 2025/26.
Despite the challenge he said he was "excited" about the opportunities ahead and said the chance to be a part of "what comes next for the city was "amazing".
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Whiting said notwithstanding the financial difficulties faced by the council he believed there was "light at the end of the tunnel" for local authorities.
He said he was hopeful that the government's Spending Review in June would deliver a multi-year settlement for the council.
While he said it would not "dramatically transform the amount of money we can spent as a council" it would provide stability.
