Scarborough Residents May See £28 Council Tax Increase for New Town Council

Scarborough residents’ annual council tax bills might increase by approximately £28 to fund the establishment of a new town council. In 2023, eight borough councils, Scarborough among them, were dissolved to facilitate the formation of the new North Yorkshire Council. This authority has opted to establish a smaller council specifically for the town, allocating a budget of £384,000 for its inaugural year after councillors are elected. These proposals are scheduled for discussion at a meeting taking place on Monday. The North Yorkshire Council’s intention to create the new town council aligns with its commitment to devolve greater authority to local communities, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. This council would assume responsibility for local matters, potentially encompassing services like public benches, toilets, and Christmas lights. In May, residents residing in wards such as Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney, Northstead, Weaponness and Ramshill, and Woodlands will be called upon to elect 15 unpaid councillors. To cover these expenses, an additional charge would be levied on council tax bills, with the typical band D householder projected to contribute an extra £28.88 for the 2025-2026 period. Currently, the council tax bill for band D properties in Scarborough stands at £1,847.36. The town council’s preliminary budget is intended to cover expenditures such as equipment, website establishment, and a clerk’s salary. A report compiled for Scarborough’s charter trustees stated: “The new council, once elected, will determine priorities for expenditure but the opening budget needs to reflect the set-up of the new council and an estimate of basic core running costs.” The report also indicates that the supplementary 2024-25 band D property charge for town councils in other areas of North Yorkshire varies, from £27 in Knaresborough to £129 in Selby.