COUNCIL tax in Selby will increase by 1.99 per cent from April 1.

Selby District Council agreed the increase at a meeting on Thursday, which will allow it to create more homes, but also help deliver savings of £750,000 over the year.

The council has already reduced its service running costs in recent years, but needs to save a further £1.75m over the next three years and said the increase equates to six pence a week for Band D properties, taking the council's charge for such a property to £165.22 per year.

Council leader Mark Crane said: "This is a modest increase that will help us to continue to deliver on the priorities for our area. We want to support growth and investment, homes and to give people more opportunities to get involved in their local services."

Councillor Cliff Lunn, lead member of the executive for finance and resources, said: "As a result of the decisions we’ve made about our budgets over recent years we’re able to continue to invest despite facing further reductions in funding."