A LOCAL authority is planning a council tax increase in-line with inflation.

Richmondshire District Council this week voted to increase its share of the tax by 2.2 per cent.

Councillors rejected calls by several members for no increase.

If the rise is approved at a full council meeting later this month, it will mean an average band D household pays an extra 7p a week.

Council leader Councillor Bill Glover said: "An inflationary rise is the sensible option. Below inflation increases might grab the headlines, but they are just not sustainable, as certain neighbouring authorities have recently found to their cost.

"A combination of careful financial planning and the best Government grant settlement in North Yorkshire, means we can keep the rise to an inflationary minimum, and residents will pay just £3.30 on average per week for all district council services,

"I think that's pretty good value."

Tory group leader Coun John Blackie was among the councillors who called for a zero increase.

He said the authority should give taxpayers "a break" after several sharp rises in recent years.