A COUNCIL boss has outlined bold plans to maintain council tax at its current rate for the next four years without cutting public services – while making £800,000 of savings.

Drawn up by the new Conservative administration at Richmondshire District Council, led by Councillor Yvonne Peacock, the plans are still to be finalised at the authority’s corporate board committee on Tuesday (October 6), with a final vote by full council on October 20.

Cllr Peacock said: “Keeping council tax low is something I feel very strongly about and always have done. In the last administration during the first three years it was increased even though I would always ask for it to be kept at zero per cent and would come up with ways on how it could be done.

“It will certainly be challenging – we still don’t know how much money will get from government but in our plan we are already looking at savings.”

She she hoped to amass £800,000 of savings over the four years in office, with efficiencies coming from a cheaper recycling system, while the council will review staff roles, increasing charges for services and cut the number of councillors.

“This period of austerity doesn’t look likely to end yet so we need to plan for these cuts – without any losses to current services.

“We are looking at how to cut operating costs and generate extra income, working with other agencies and local businesses.”

Leader of Tory-led Hambleton District Council, Mark Robson, said: “In Hambleton we have frozen council tax for the last five years, however we can’t comment on what we will do for 2016 to 2017 because until we know what the government grant will be we don’t know.

“Over the last three years Hambleton District Council has had the grant cut by 48 per cent – equivalent of £2.7m – and we expect further cuts.

“It’s a very bold move to make at this stage.”

Former leader of Richmondshire District Council, John Blackie, said he felt the pledge to freeze council tax for four years was impossible without impacting on services and staff.

"Having 12 years of experience as leader of the council, as far as I’m concerned it is stretching reality into the realms of fantasy.

“The savings target is simply not going to be achievable other than at the cost of staffing levels, so they will feel under threat, and the quality of services will be affected.”