Initial results of public survey show two-thirds of participants back council rise tax in Scarborough

Two-thirds of people who have responded to a Scarborough Council-run consultation have backed a planned rise in council tax.
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Figures released by the borough authority show that 67% of those who took part in the survey approved of the planned 2.1% rise in the borough’s share of the precept.

The number of people who have responded, however, is very low with just 88 residents taking part so far.

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The figures were revealed as the council’s cabinet today moved forward with the authority’s draft budget for the next financial year.

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The borough authority, which makes up around 13% of a resident’s council tax bill, is proposing to increase its share of the precept by £5 a year for a Band D property.

It would bring the total paid to Scarborough Council by borough residents in a Band D property to £239.75 annually.

Once the contributions to North Yorkshire County Council, which makes up 70% of a council tax bill, North Yorkshire Police and Fire Service and the social care precept have been set, a total bill for a Band D property will come to more than £1,900 for the year.

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Scarborough Council is looking to make around £3m in savings in the next 12 months.

Cabinet member Cllr Tony Randerson (Lab) said previous council administrations had made a “mistake” in freezing council tax.

He said: “I think it proved to be a false economy as we are now reaping, in inverted commas, the rewards of that and having to play catch up.

“We have a responsibility to our residents to keep providing frontline services and we will continue to do so but it is only on the basis that we have this minimal increase.”

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The public consultation on council tax is still ongoing and people can have their say up until February 17 by visiting www.scarborough.gov.uk/consultations-have-your-say/budget-consultation-202021-revenue-budget and filling in the survey.