TIME is running out for South Craven residents to have their say on the county council's budget.

Public consultation on the proposals, including council tax levels for the next year, closes on Monday (January 17).

Under Government rules, the authority can raise council tax by up to 1.99 per cent from April – plus up to a further 2.49 per cent for the adult social care precept.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Councillor Carl Les, said: "Increasing council tax is never an easy option for us.

"We've always striven to be moderate in our increases. When considering the level of council tax, we need to balance the hardship families face and the pressure a rise might add, with the need to fund essential services to support the most vulnerable and the services residents want to see delivered.

"We want to be able to make such decisions backed by an understanding of how residents view our ambitions and spending priorities, as well as the level of council tax. For that reason, I urge people to complete our consultation survey now."

To give your views, visit northyorks.gov.uk/yourservicesyoursay.

The budget proposals are expected to be considered by the council’s executive on January 25.