RULING county councillors have unveiled a budget they pledged would continue to signal high performances in schools and social care in North Yorkshire.

But opponents said the Tories had not done enough to control costs in the county - and by raiding reserves they were storing up trouble for the future.

The budget confirmation comes as the Evening Press outlines proposed average council tax increases for district councils across the county.

Their slice of the final bill is then added to the precepts levied by police and fire authorities, the county council, and any parishes.

The county council said its new budget, involving a 4.9 per cent council tax rise, would maintain high standards in schools, social care, transport, libraries and waste management.

When bills are posted in the spring, the average Band D property in North Yorkshire will pay an extra £40 for county council-run services, rising from £817 to £857.

County council leader Coun John Weighell, pictured, said: "This budget will provide much needed support for services - an extra £15 million for education, almost £8 million for social care, £3 million for environmental services and £0.75 million for libraries and business services."

This came amid the backdrop of a "difficult" Government grant payment.

He said: "North Yorkshire will continue to be one of the lowest taxing shire counties in England, with only two other county councils having lower tax levels."

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Caroline Seymour admitted the council had to make tough decisions with "little room for manoeuvre".

But she said costs had risen because buildings had been left "expensively empty" for long periods and new IT projects had not delivered expected savings.

Coun Seymour said: "The council is also planning to use up Yorwaste reserves to balance the books.

"The money will be gone in two years' time. What will happen after that? The council looks to be storing up problems for the future."

Most North Yorkshire councils have heeded a Government warning that rises above five per cent face being capped.

One exception is Hambleton District Council, which has increased its tax by nearly 20 per cent.

Privately, however, council chiefs believe they will not be capped, as their low starting base and use of reserves will be taken into account.

As our table shows, projected final Band D bills in Ryedale currently stand at £1,242.03, while Selby and Tadcaster are £1,242.03.

Elsewhere, a proposed rise of 4.9 per cent was due to be discussed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council yesterday. This would take a Band D property to £1,005.88, although the police, fire and any parish elements are still to be confirmed for East Yorkshire.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, February 18, 2005