COUNCIL tax payers in Hambleton district will continue to receive one of the lowest charges in the country - despite a £70 rise this year.

Members of Hambleton District Council have agreed to maintain the policy of low taxation they adopted six years ago.

They have set the council tax at £30 for an average Band D property - still £50 less than the Government's guideline - and say the authority can continue to maintain and improve services across the district.

Coun June Imeson, chairman of the council's policy and resources committee, said: "By prudent financial planning we can continue to provide high standards of services for our residents as well as invest in new projects."

Council tax levels for the district for a Band D property are expected to be about £629 when services from North Yorkshire County Council, the police authority, and parish councils are added to the bill.

That figure amounts to an increase of 13 per cent on the average bill of £556.66 last year.

Last year, the district council broke with the tradition of charging nothing for its share of the council tax by asking residents for £20.

The district authority has used its savings to keep its share of the council tax charges low.

Interest on cash from the sale of its council housing stock is used as a subsidy.

And despite council tax payers facing a 13 per cent rise in bills this year, residents are still receiving a £1.6m payback in the form of a £49.57 subsidy per household on the district council's share of the tax.

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