RYEDALE District Council is to increase its council tax after setting its budget.

From April 1 the annual cost of the district council’s charge will be £190.80 for a Band D property, an increase of £4.77 over the year for the average-sized Band D home.

Ryedale District Council’s part of council tax amounts to around 11 per cent of the total bill. The rest of residents' council tax goes to other organisations delivering public services, including North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police.

This month, North Yorkshire County Council approved a 4.99 per cent council tax increase, which equates to about £60 more for the average band D property.

The county council is having to cut its spending by nearly £170m in a decade and - with a higher proportion of older residents than the national average - also has a steeply rising adult social care bill.

Ryedale council met on Thursday to agree its precept.

Chair of the council’s policy and resources committee, Cllr Luke Ives said following the meeting: “Funding for local councils continues to be a real challenge – as it has been for a number of years.

“Local government has delivered the biggest savings and efficiencies out of all public services since 2010. At Ryedale, we’ve been part of this story.

“The positive decisions we’ve taken at the district council, including fundamental changes to the way in which the council works, means we’re in a strong financial position and can deliver a balanced budget through this minimal increase.

“It’s important that we can strike a balance between continuing to deliver long-term savings and investing in services to ensure their long-term sustainability.

“Councillors agreed a budget last night that does this.

“Paying just £191 over an entire year for all district council services represents great value for money.”