HOUSEHOLDERS in Ryedale face a 4.2 per cent rise in their council tax bills this year.

The district council's policy and resources committee is to be told that while it plans a 2.5 per cent increase -an additional 8p a week - other increases will come from North Yorkshire County Council, expected to be 4.9 per cent, the police authority at 2.2 per cent, and the county fire authority at four per cent.

Trevor Teasdale, the council's chief financial officer, said in a report to councillors that North Yorkshire County Council, together with the police and fire authorities, had yet to finalise their increases.

It is expected the council's rise will be agreed at a meeting on Thursday, February 16.

Mr Teasdale says Ryedale's rate, which will amount to £3.02 a week, was excellent value for the services it provided.

New schemes from April 1 will include free bus passes for people over 60s and disabled people, and better access to services for residents and visitors through new technology.