Council mounts savings drive as it prepares to increase tax

The borough council is carrying out an annual council tax consultation, proposing an increase of two per cent which would mean paying an extra 4.14 per year or 8p per week for a Band D property.

The council wants to make savings of 1,096,630 and is proposing additional ongoing investment in priority areas of 692,050 and 930,000 capital expenditure for new schemes.

Head of Finance and Asset Management Nick Edwards said: "Tough decisions are needed to bridge the gap between the level of Government grants, the increases in the cost of services and additional duties placed on us.

"However, to help us consider our budget and council tax levels for the 2010 to 2011 year and beyond we really would like to hear what residents have to say."

Scarborough's proposed revenue budget for the next financial year is more than 21m.

Residents can give feedback to the council on what they think should be the spending priorities via the website or by completing a feedback form at any of the Customer First centres which are at St Nicholas Street in Scarborough, John Street in Filey, Skinner Street in Whitby and High Street in Eastfield.

There will also be two area committee meetings held, the Central Urban Area Committee at 7pm on Thursday in the Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough and the Central Rural Area Committee at 7pm on Tuesday, January 26 at St Mark's Parish Hall, Coldyhill Lane, Newby.

The proposed council tax increase is significantly less than last year's 3.7 per cent hike and is slightly above the 1.9 per cent rate of inflation.

The council keeps only about 14 per cent of the tax it collects with 69 per cent going to North Yorkshire County Council, 13 per cent going to North Yorkshire Police and four per cent going to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services.

The money pays for a range of services including refuse collection, street cleaning, CCTV, leisure facilities, parks and gardens, concessionary fares, schools and housing benefits.