A "NO cuts" budget has been promised by North Yorkshire County Council chiefs facing a financial shortfall next year.

But taxpayers have been told they will have to foot the bill with a huge 9.75 per cent increase.

It means the average Band D householder will be paying an extra £1.25 a week from April - taking annual bills from £677.74 to £732.85.

But that will fund all services to at least the level they are at now.

Council leader John Weighell said: "Nobody wants an above-inflation tax increase.

"Equally, a clear message from our consultation was that people wanted to see public services maintained and improved. We are, therefore, aiming at a "no cuts" budget."

Yesterday, the Evening Press revealed that social services in North Yorkshire were in jeopardy unless major investment was made.

An overspend of £1.2 million had already been run up by the department.

Coun Weighell said: "In recent years we have had to run down our reserves to deal with a succession of funding problems, especially the national under-funding of social services and extra calls on resources to deal with flooding and foot and mouth disease.

"We accept that given the state of the rural economy and the difficult position of people on pensions and fixed incomes, many residents would want any council tax rise to be minimised.

"But we can't keep services going and deal with growing demand without money. The Government only provides so much - the rest has to come from the council tax."

The council plans to increase spending in certain areas, including social services, which will get an extra £2.2 million for care for children in need and adults with disabilities.

An increase of £1 million will be put into the environment budget for next year's winter maintenance, as well as £500,000 extra for highways maintenance.

Inflation on wages also needs to be covered.

"In education we are putting an extra £1.9 million into the standards fund to compensate for a government reduction in support for literacy and numeracy, and to boost investment in new technology in schools," said Coun Weighell.

The council had asked residents if they wanted steep tax increases or service cuts in consultation sessions held earlier this year.

They decided on tax rises.

Updated: 11:46 Thursday, February 21, 2002