Should council tax be increased? - Scarborough residents' views sought ahead of budget

North Yorkshire County Council has extended its online consultation by a week to Monday January 20 because it is keen to hear from as many people as possible.

County Council Leader Councillor Carl Les said: “This is residents’ chance to influence our budget decisions. We want people to share their views on whether we should increase council tax and, if so, by how much. It is important people have their say and that we hear them.

“Executive members will meet on 4 February to make budget recommendations to the full council meeting later in the month. We want to be able to consider as wide a public response as possible before making those recommendations.”

Residents can take part in the budget consultation online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/yourservicesyoursay

Cllr Les added: “By 2020, the county council will have around 40p less out of every £1 to spend than in 2010. This is both as a result of decreased central funding and a significant increase in demand for services.

“Every year we spend £255m on adult social care and public health, £107m on children and young people, £39m on highways and £50m on waste disposal. Forty-seven per cent of our £529m budget now comes from council tax to pay for these and many other vital services.

“With uncertainty around future funding and the wider economy, we need to decide whether we increase council tax and, if so, by how much.”

By the end of this year, the council will have made savings of £172.9m over ten years. It still needs to make an additional £24.8m of savings by the end of 2021/22.