AN inflation-busting increase for Selby district's 32,000 council taxpayers will finance a "dream budget", say Labour councillors.

The 8.8 per cent hike - almost four times the rate of inflation - was agreed at last night's monthly council meeting.

Labour described it as a "modest" increase - but it immediately came under fire from Tory and Independent councillors.

Owners of an average band D property will pay the district council £124.17 compared to the present £114.14.

When charges are added from North Yorkshire County Council (9.75 per cent), the county's police force (41.5 per cent) and parish councils, this year's average council tax bill for Selby area householders will be a whopping £977.82.

This is £102.36 more than the current average bill of £875.46 and an increase of 11.7 per cent or almost five times the rate of inflation.

Labour councillor Roy Wilson told last night's Selby District Council meeting that it was a "dream budget".

He said: "The public is willing to pay modest increases if it means improved services."

Labour's Jim Snowball was sure the people of Selby district would welcome it.

Labour group leader Dean Howson said the increase was the launch of a longer-term budget strategy to protect council spending and high quality services.

But Independent councillor John McCartney branded it a "triple whammy", while fellow Independent Maurice Patrick said he felt "sorry" for Selby area residents.

Conservative group leader Mark Crane said the increase was unjustified and unfair when the council had more than £12 million in reserves in its "back pocket."

He said: "If we continue to raise council tax in this way, a married couple on state pension living in a band D property will, by the year 2039, see their entire income spent in council tax.

"This will hit those who can least afford it. There's an attitude that we know how to spend other people's money better than they do and it's time we put a stop to it."

The Tory group's alternative budget, which would have seen council taxes rise by 3.7 per cent, was defeated in a vote by 22 to 13.

Updated: 15:01 Wednesday, February 20, 2002