THE results of one of York's most important votes will be announced on Monday.

The opinion poll will reveal the public's verdict on what level of council tax should be set for next year.

Hailed by City of York Council as "one of the most ambitious budget consultations" ever undertaken by a local authority, residents were asked to vote on three alternative tax hikes of ten per cent, 7.5 and five per cent.

The ruling Liberal Democrats have warned that amid increased spending demands from Government in areas like recycling and social services, substantial cuts of up to £3 million could be on the cards without a ten per cent increase.

Council leader Steve Galloway said thousands of residents had responded to the poll and he expected the response rate to be above the usual two per cent for this type of poll.

More than 80,000 voting leaflets and reply postcards were posted at a cost of £10,000.

"At the very least we have succeeded in raising interest in the issues facing local government," he said.

"Many respondents will accept though that the difficulties facing the council have been exacerbated by the unfair system of local government grants which adversely impacts on York.

"What remains to be seen is whether local tax payers are prepared to pick up some of the bill for the failings of central government."

Mr Galloway has confirmed that the council will respect the results of the ballot when it tables its final budget proposals in February.

Coun Dave Merrett, leader of the Labour Group, has called on the council to make known the full details of the results.

"We fear the Lib Dems want to use this to pass the buck for particular service cuts and car park charge increases," he said.

"We believe the information and options residents were given were totally inadequate and presented false choices. It is therefore difficult to decide what weight to put on the results.

"Nonetheless we would expect the council to make known the full detail of the results, including any additional comments, and whether people put forward their own alternatives.

"This was presented as an opportunity for residents to have their say, so it is vital that the views of everyone who took the trouble to respond are taken into account."

Updated: 10:18 Saturday, January 08, 2005