RICHMONDSHIRE Council, which faces a shortfall of over £500,000 in its budgets over the next two years, has confirmed cuts and higher taxes are inevitable.

Residents seem likely to be paying the district authority another 7.9 per cent in council tax over the next 12 months. The bill is expected to rise by another 4.5 per cent in 2003.

However, finance chiefs claim it is one of the smallest increases in county - and three per cent lower than a 10.25 per cent rise facing North Yorkshire County Council.

Coun Raymond Alderson, who chairs the district council's resources committee, said: "Many parts of our district have suffered badly from the recent foot-and-mouth epidemic and we are keen to keep the council tax level at its absolute minimum."

However, the authority will still have to find savings of its own - and job cuts are among the possibilities.

Senior officers have emphasised there will be no compulsory redundancies; it is more likely positions will be reviewed should current staff members leave.

In the meantime, a more immediate solution is the introduction of new charges, which the council has already approved. They include:

* An increase in charges for domestic pest control treatment.

* A reduction in the maintenance of cemeteries and closed churchyards, and an increase in cemetery fees and charges.

* The demolition of some public toilets and the closure of others during winter.

* A new fee for the removal of bulky rubbish, such as old furniture.

Council leader John Blackie said: "We are trying very hard to achieve the necessary reductions in spending whilst having the least possible impact on our services."

The council has also highlighted the fact the District Auditor praised its approach to the problem in a letter last month. A pro-active response to looming budgetary problems was described as 'sensible.'