A PROVISIONAL council tax rise of 23p a week has been proposed by Hambleton District Council.

The rise, which equates to £12 a year, means council tax will stand at £80 for an average Band D property if the figures are agreed by councillors next month.

Council leader Arthur Barker said members have worked hard to keep the rise to a minimum and are planning to take £2.9m from reserves to keep council tax low.

"Hambleton has traditionally had one of the lowest council taxes in the country for many years," he said. "Despite this expected rise we don't expect that to change.

"Over the last ten years the council has kept council tax low by subsiding rates to the tune of £17.5m and we are committed to ploughing in another £12.5m over the next ten years to keep on doing just that."