Knaresborough Town Council has announced its precept will increase by 37% in 2025/26.

It means the amount Band D council tax households will be charged will go up from £26.92 to £36.99.

This will be added to the amount charged by North Yorkshire Council and by the police and fire services to determine next year's final council tax bills.

The town council, which agreed the figure at a meeting at Knaresborough House this week, said in a press release today the precept was a key factor in determining the level of services and amenities it can provide.

It added:

The town council is in talks with North Yorkshire Council about taking on some services, such as the weekly market, as part of North Yorkshire Council's double devolution agenda. But nothing has been agreed yet.

Liberal Democrat-controlled Knaresborough charges one of the lowest parish precepts in the county. Its current £26.92 compares with £70.77 in Ripon.

Harrogate’s new town council will charge just £12.73, but this will only fund start-up costs. The sum is expected to rise when the town council takes on services in years to come.

With Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council warning of “very difficult choices” after yesterday’s local government funding settlement, which it said had increased its deficit shortfall by £6.5 million, council taxpayers look set for steep hikes in the amount they pay in spring.

Knaresborough Town Council said its approved budget will be available on its website in the new year.