VOLUNTARY groups turned out in force yesterday to lobby councillors over budget plans which they claim will cost them dearly.

Members of North Yorkshire County Council's corporate policy committee voted for a package which will lead to an increase of seven per cent in the council tax.

Council leaders claim the move will guarantee funding for voluntary groups to maintain the services now available.

However, the voluntary groups themselves reacted with disappointment - and claimed the effect on their organisations could be devastating.

Neil Irving, chief officer of the North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations, said they were deeply concerned about the funding package.

"It will remove existing services from many elderly and vulnerable people, result in the county council failing to meet its statutory responsibilities and put it at risk of legal challenge," he claimed.

He said voluntary organisations would face increasing demands for their services for vulnerable people who would no longer get county council help.

He agreed that the county council was in a difficult financial position but he said: "Budget discussions always seem to be about how little it can increase council tax rather than the level of services that people in North Yorkshire need."

Council leaders said there would be a target of £100,000 worth of savings to services for adults with learning disabilities.

However, changes to the way the service is provided would be carried out only after full consultation with service users, carers and service providers.

Council leader David Ashton, said: "We want to reassure everyone that through greater flexibility and more efficient use of funding, the level of services currently being delivered by social services will not be reduced.

"We will be undertaking a thorough financial review aimed at producing proposals for a long-term solution to the problems we have faced since the Government cut £3.5million from our social services budget in 1998."

The spending plans will mean an extra £43-a-year on the county council tax bill - which currently stands at £618 for an average, band D, property.