Ryedale District Council looks to freeze council tax bill for residents (From Gazette & Herald)

Ryedale District Council looks to freeze council tax bill for residents

10:39am Monday 4th January 2010

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RYEDALE District Council is looking at freezing its council tax bill for residents this year.

Councillors have asked officers to prepare a budget with a zero increase in council tax for 2010/2011 but they have also asked what improvements there could be to services if it was increased by 2.5 per cent.

Coun Linda Cowling, of the Conservatives, said the recommendation that council tax should be kept as it is came in response to the recession.

Coun Cowling said: “It’s because everybody is hard-up. People have enough on their plates paying mortgages and we’re not convinced the recession is over by any means.”

Coun Cowling said it was hoped no services would have to be cut and the shortfall in cash could be made up by working more efficiently.

Householders are currently charged £1,464 – excluding parish precepts – on a band D property, £176.72 of which goes to Ryedale Council, the rest going to North Yorkshire County Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police.

Last year, district councillors voted for a 2.5 per cent increase and if they did the same this year it would mean an extra £4.42 per band D household going to Ryedale council.

Residents are now being asked for their opinions on the proposal for freezing the council tax precept and on which services people feel are a priority.

A questionnaire is now available at ryedale.gov.uk Questions include asking people whether the £176 currently paid for a band D property represents value for money from the council, what services should be given extra cash if money is available and also asks residents to prioritise five areas in terms of importance; housing, economic success, the environment, active and safe communities, and transforming the council.

The deadline for all responses is January 15.

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