HOUSEHOLDERS across North Yorkshire look likely to have to dig even deeper in their pockets to meet their council tax charges next year.

Members of the county council yesterday decided to back revised budget proposals for their next year's budget.

The draft proposals will lead to a provisional increase in council tax of just more than ten per cent.

The authority has been struggling to balance the budget and maintain services after a disappointing standard spending assessment from the Government.

In the wake of that they have adjusted their proposals to put extra money into schools and social services, as well as winter maintenance.

The revisions were passed without a single vote against. John Weighell, the leader of the county council, said: "The council's difficult position is clearly recognised by all parties. We have identified up to an additional £1.4m for schools. This will compensate those without sixth forms for a potential loss arising from the Government's decision to switch responsibility for sixth form funding from the county council to the Learning and Skills Councils."

The national funding crisis in social services has led to the allocation of an extra £1.95m, principally to care for more children in need and for more adults with disabilities.

The authority is also trying to make good an expected £500,000 loss of fee income as a result of Government policy changes. Mr Weighell said: "We had already put an extra £1m into the highways budget to rebuild the reserve needed to fund winter maintenance next year. We will now consult around the county on what we propose."

The final decisions are expected in February.