PENSIONERS in Harrogate could be among the first to qualify for Council Tax discounts from April next year.

North Yorkshire County Council has already indicated it is to debate new Government legislation which allows local authorities more room to manoeuvre when setting their annual tax bills.

On Tuesday, the executive at County Hall will be asked to consider allowing pensioners to pay less - although it has already indicated it will need the co-operation of the district authorities if a scheme is to work.

Harrogate Borough Council has now confirmed it will discuss the same idea at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Harlow Councillor Simon Theakston has tabled a motion for the meeting calling on the authority to investigate the financial implications of the new rules.

"We will consider carefully Councillor Theakston's move to help our older residents,'' said Councillor Jim Clark, the cabinet member for finance at the authority.

He added: "I am not surprised that the Local Government Minister, Nick Raynsford, has admitted that Council Tax is very near the limit of acceptability.

"I agree with his comments but would say that responsibility for this unacceptability rests firmly with the Government."