HIGHER parking charges and leisure centre fees are planned for Hambleton – but residents may escape a rise in council tax.

Hambleton councillors have given the go-ahead to a £7.6m budget to take the authority through 2013/14 and do not forsee a council tax hike.

District councillors meeting at full council gave their approval to a net budget of £7,691,460 which is in line with the longer-term financial strategy.

“We have a robust strategy for the future to maintain the services we have, albeit at the cost of some increases in our fees and charges,” said deputy leader, Councillor Ron Kirk.

“We are not immune to the economic and financial challenges facing the public sector – we expect to have taken another 48 per cent reduction in grant support from central government by 2020 which means we have to look closely at our revenue streams. But we are committed to providing excellent services and our long term strategy will make sure we can maintain those services during this time.”

Short-stay parking charges in Northallerton and Thirsk rise from 40p to 50p an hour; long stay in Northallerton, Thirsk and Stokesley go up by 50p to £2 per day; and long stay in Bedale increases from 50p to 80p per day. Thirsk market place retains its first-hour-free system.

Overnight lorry parking in Northallerton rises from £5 to £6.50 but coach parking in Thirsk remains free.