Two districts’ leaders pledge to keep increases in council tax to a minimum

LEADERS of two district councils have pledged to keep their council tax demands low ahead of expected inflation-busting rises from other authorities.

Hambleton District Council leader Coun Mark Robson said the authority would keep its precept among the country’s lowest, while Richmondshire District Council leader Coun Yvonne Peacock said her authority would set a demand below the maximum 2.99 per cent rise allowed without a referendum.

The leaders were speaking after North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Milligan indicated her ambition to raise North Yorkshire Police’s element of council tax bills by 10.3 per cent to meet rising demands.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council has revealed a proposal to raise its precept by almost five per cent to pay for soaring social care costs.

Coun Peacock said: “It is important that we keep in mind that some other authorities, such as the county council and the police, are looking to raise their council tax demands.

“Richmondshire was recently named the best place to live in the country and keeping council tax low is all part of that.”

Her comments come ahead of the Richmondshire council’s leading members considering officers’ recommendation to raise council tax demand for a Band D property to £217.72.

Officers have suggested the council tax rise after highlighting how the authority has been hit by a 56.7 per cent cut in funding from central government over the past decade.

Both Richmondshire and Hambleton councils are expected to benefit from being part of a pilot scheme trialling a system where they are allowed to retain 75 per cent of local business rates.