Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council had no choice but to increase the amount of cash it demanded from ratepayers, according to chairman David Mullen.

He said a number of factors outside the control of the council forced it to increase its precept on this year’s council tax.

The council asked for £27.85 from Band D householders instead of the £17.88 it asked for last year. Coun Mullen, speaking at the annual parish meeting, said one reason for the increase was that Steeton had to cover the potential £9,000 cost of holding an election if a councillor resigned.