GOVERNMENT assumptions that Hambleton's council tax should be three times higher than it is have been strongly criticised by councillors.

The district council's spending allowance for next year has been based on an average council tax levy of nearly £180 - considerably more than what residents will actually pay.

Councillors are worried the huge gulf could mean a difficult budget, although they have pledged to keep council tax as low as possible.

The authority has budgeted for an increase of about £6, bringing the average council tax bill to £62 for a Band D property.

Head of finance David Simpson said the Government had altered the way in which it assesses annual spending, which had prompted the difference in the figures.

"Last year, the Government said we needed to spend £8.5m and, this year, the figure has gone up to £11.4m - but our grant from Westminster has stayed the same.

"As a result, we would have to raise the extra amount by increasing council tax - and, clearly, we are not going to do that to the level the Government suggests."

The council's deputy leader, Councillor Arthur Barker, also criticised the Government's sums. He said: "On one hand, we are being told to spend more money on our residents, but on the other we are told to take more money away from them in order to balance the books.

"The difference between what we levy and what the Government suggest is £4m - £4m which we put into the pockets of the Hambleton residents."

A spokesperson for the Office of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: "Central government does not decide what the actual council tax levels should be - the final decision lies with the local council and the electorate."

Hambleton had the second lowest council tax of all shire districts in the country during 2001/2 and this financial year has the third lowest tax.

Mr Simpson added: "We are very proud of that fact; we provide high quality services at great value for money."