A leading councillor has called for money promised to replace EU cash lost through Brexit, telling the government: "Give it us now."
Councillor Mark Wilkes said a new fund meant to replace EU money - a key part of levelling up - brought nowhere near as much cash in as its predecessor.
"We're being left short to the tune of tens of millions of pounds and County Durham deserves better," he said.
"So whoever's running the country when decision making starts again, please give our county and region the funding we were promised when we left the EU.
"And give it us now, not when it's too late," he told a Durham County Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday (July 14).
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The cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change said: "The Shared Prosperity Fund is supposed to be a replacement for European funding.
"As a council we will be making sure that the investment we've been given is directed into improving areas like job prospects and employment, helping us lead the green revolution and building our county's economy to bring it up to levels seen in more affluent parts of the country.
"However I have to say that at present the funding being offered by government doesn't even come close to replacing the funding lost and which would have come to County Durham from EU grants.
"That is a fact," said the cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change.
"Prior to us leaving the EU we were upgraded to an area in need of more funding. The government needs to recognise this.
"After all, they recognised this for Cornwall which is receiving significantly more Shared Prosperity funding than County Durham, despite now economically being in a better position than us."
Geoff Paul, the council's interim corporate director of regeneration, economy and growth, said County Durham would receive £30.8m from the fund over the next three years - but issues would arise in the switchover, including staffing.
The county has received more than £73m from EU grants, and the European Social Fund (ESF) is to end in December 2023.
Mr Paul said: "The transition from EU to UK Shared Prosperity Fund will have major implications to the council as these come to an end, including issues in relation to staffing.
"There are currently 190 staff funded through EU funding.
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"The stated overarching aim of the (Shared Prosperity) fund is to increase pride in place and to increase life chances across the UK.
"A wide range of local initiatives and schemes will qualify for the fund, ranging from local regeneration, learning and skills development, supporting micro and community-led businesses."
The new funding focuses on communities, local businesses, people and skills, though some parts of it will not start until 2024.
Durham Council will manage the funding, oversee payments and approve and monitor projects with "maximum local impact".
An investment plan will be submitted to government by August 1, with more reports to come on staffing issues.
"At this stage the investment plan is not required to identify individual projects, and at present there is no call for projects," added Mr Paul.
Cllr Ted Henderson, cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a key component of the government's flagship policy to level up.
"The administration wants to ensure that County Durham benefits fully from this, maximising the impact of it for the residents of the county.
"UK SPF will support investments in our town centres and high streets, the enhancement and promotion of the county.
"It will support our local businesses, helping them to start to grow and innovate. It will support our most disadvantaged residents access employment by reducing the barriers to work, and will increase skills and development."
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