'Snow levy' on council taxpayers approved

Members of North Yorkshire County Council approved the proposals to impose a higher- than-expected council tax increase to help to pay for the multi-million pound road maintenance bill.

More than 258,000 households across North Yorkshire will face a 2.94 per cent rise in the new financial year instead of the planned 2.5 per cent increase which went out for public consultation during the autumn.

The tax increase was condemned by opposition Liberal Democrat councillors, who claimed the Conservative-run administration was ignoring the financial plight of residents in the wake of the recession.

However, council leader John Weighell maintained that the planned 2.94 per cent increase was the lowest in North Yorkshire for 16 years.

The rise, approved at a full council meeting yesterday, equates to a 1,057.48 bill for an average band D property – an increase of 30.18, or 58p a week.

North Yorkshire County Council is faced with a massive repair bill for more than 5,000 miles of roads after freezing temperatures opened up potholes.

The authority is having to cope with a 10m bill for mending the potholes and an additional 9m for gritting. A 1m emergency fund has already been earmarked from this year's revenue budget to help pay for the costs.

The 0.44 per cent increase is expected to raise a further 1m, and Coun Weighell said he hoped more money could be secured from Westminster.

The Local Government Association has petitioned the Department of Transport to release 100m nationwide for repairs. Other local authorities, including Calderdale Council, have agreed to use balances to pay for shortfalls in winter budgets.