PEOPLE and business owners are being given a say on what their local authority should be looking to spend its money on – and on the levels of council tax it levies.

Hambleton District Council has embarked on a budget consultation exercise to find out what people think of the authority's current priorities, its council tax and its proposals to improve services and increase efficiency.

“Local government continues to face significant financial pressures, as a result of national austerity measures, with the government reducing its grant funding to local authorities,” said council leader Mark Robson.

“Hambleton District Council aims to achieve efficiency savings to deliver a balanced budget and maintain the same or an improved level of service, whilst keeping council tax low.”

He added: “We would like to know what local people want us to focus on and what their priorities are.

"We hope people will work with us going forward and complete the budget consultation”

The authority will debate its budget - and therefore what level of council tax it needs to set- in February next year and to help inform that decision, residents are encouraged to have their say on where the council’s funds should be used to support services.

The consultation can be accessed online at www.hambleton.gov.uk/survey/budget or by collecting a paper copy from the council offices in Northallerton, Easingwold or Stokesley or Springboard Business Centre in Stokesley or Evolution Business Centre in Northallerton.

All responses must be completed and returned by October 27.