A TOP spending watchdog today blamed the Government for high council tax rises in York and North Yorkshire.

The Audit Commission's latest report confirms a direct link between the increase in council tax and the size of Government grants.

Council tax bills went up by 11.5 per cent in North Yorkshire this year. County council leader John Weighell has said he was determined to keep the rise below double figures next year - despite another "disappointing" Government grant.

A "disastrous" grant for York next year has led to speculation about 12 per cent tax rises.

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said: "We have been saying for many years that central Government was placing additional burdens on local government without making adequate financial grant arrangements to cover the costs.

"It is nice now to have an independent confirmation of that view. As far as next financial year is concerned the likely double figure increase in the main will be due to central government requirements as far as York council expenditure is concerned."

The commission report attacked North Yorkshire Police Authority - which increased its precept by a massive 76 per cent last year.

The report said police authorities were "less susceptible" to public pressure to keep bills down as they did not stand for election. They also hand over responsibility to collecting the cash to local councils so are less directly affected by "direct pressure" from householders.

Jeremy Holderness, clerk to the police authority, said the authority had been working hard to change its remote image.

He said authority members, the majority of whom were elected councillors, was due to start on a public consultation programme next week.

Mr Holderness was unable to say what next year's precept rise would be.

But he said: "From the scope of the figures we are looking at it won't be anything like last year."

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, December 04, 2003