RYEDALE District Council has agreed a tax rise of 2.6 per cent from April.

The rise, which the authority says equates to 9p per week, was approved by 19 votes to seven at a meeting at Ryedale House last night.

From April 1, the annual cost of the District Council’s part of the charge will be £190.82 for an average 'Band D' home.

Cllr Luke Ives, chair of the council's policy and resources committee, said: "It’s important that we can strike a balance between continuing to deliver long-term savings and investing in services to ensure their long-term sustainability.

"Councillors agreed a budget last night that does this. Paying just £191 over an entire year for all District Council services represents great value for money."

Ryedale District Council’s part of Council Tax amounts to around 11 per cent of the total bill.

The rest goes to other organisations delivering public services, including North Yorkshire County Council, the police and fire services.

For a full report on last night's meeting, see Wednesday's Gazette & Herald.