TAXPAYERS in Richmondshire will have to pay 4.5 per cent more for their local services in the next financial year.

The district council tied itself to the increase when it set council tax rates 12 months ago.

But the authority has indicated that almost half the additional money raised this year will be used to cover a shortfall in funding from central Government.

With North Yorkshire County requesting 11.5 per cent more in addition to the 76 per cent increase requested by the North Yorkshire Police Authority, the bill for a Band D property in Richmondshire will be £1,124.

When broken down that equates to £817 going to North Yorkshire County Council, £156 to the police and £151 to Richmondshire District Council.