HOUSHOLDERS across Hambleton are being urged to have their say over the levels of council tax and what the district council spends it's money on.

The authority is consulting before putting together it's budget for next year. Up to April 2020 they're due to spend £34.4m which is six per cent of the total council tax bill for the area.

In Hambleton the council accounts for around £109 of the typical council tax bill local residents have to pay which for an average Band D property is £1,747. The rest of the money collected goes to pay for services provided by North Yorkshire County council and the county's police and fire services through the Crime Commissioner.

Residents and business owners have until October 25 to make their comments about council tax through the consultation being held by the district council.

A spokesman said they want householders to have their say on what the district council should be looking to spend its money on and the levels of council tax that are levied.

They added: "In February 2020, the council has to approve a budget 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.

"Local government continues to face significant financial pressures with the government reducing its grant funding to Local Authorities. Hambleton District Council aims to achieve efficiency savings to deliver a balanced budget whilst maintaining the same or an improved level of service."

The consultation can be found online at www.hambleton.gov.uk/survey/budget or by collecting a paper copy from the council offices in Northallerton, Easingwold or Stokesley, Springboard Business Centre in Stokesley, Evolution Business Centre in Northallerton, libraries in Bedale, Easingwold, Great Ayton, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk and all council run leisure centres in Northallerton, Bedale, Stokesley and Thirsk and Sowerby. They must be completed and returned before October 25.

This year 18 per cent of the council's budget, £6.3m will be spent on leisure and communities including running the district's swimming pools and leisure centres. Economy and planning accounts for 12 per cent or £4m. Eight per cent, £2.9m is spent on finance and commercial services. Legal services and governance accounts for £1.5m, or five per cent of the district's budget with £13.9m, 40 per cent spent on housing benefit.

The district council says it has the third lowest council tax rate of any district in the country. The survey asks people to give their opinion of existing services run by the council. They are also asked whether they would want the funding of individual services to be increased, to stay the same or to be decreased.