East Riding tax bills set for freeze

If approved, East Riding would follow Harrogate Council among Conservative-run authorities heeding the Government’s call to continue freezing bills at their 2010 levels.

North Yorkshire County Council set out plans last month to put up council tax bills by two per cent arguing it could not continue to make savings to cope with Government funding cuts while also meeting the rising demand for its services.

The move raised speculation that other Tory councils in Yorkshire could break ranks with the Government but that will be significantly dampened by East Riding’s proposals.

If approved by East Riding’s cabinet next week and the council as a whole, the charge on a band D property will be fixed at £1,212.20

Proposals for savings include £272,000 from changes to libraries and £520,000 from reform of adult social care.

A report to be considered by councillors next week warns the budget for the coming year has been balanced with the help of money from the council’s reserves and this is “not sustainable” over the long term.

It is expecting to lose £41.3m in Government funding over the next three years.

Nobody from East Riding Council was available for comment.