A council has rescinded a decision to raise its precept by 16.7 per cent.

Glusburn and Cross Hills Parish Council’s initial proposal to increase the precept has now been branded “ridiculous” and “badly timed” by the chairman, Councillor John Harker.

At its November meeting, the council voted to raise the 2011-12 precept from £65,670 to £76,700, despite objections from councillors Philip Baker and Graham Beck, chairman of the parish council’s finance committee.

Coun Beck submitted his resignation by e-mail in protest at the precept hike.

However, after consultations with the Yorkshire Local Councils Association, Coun Beck will be allowed to carry on with his duties.

And the council has now passed an alternative proposal to increase the precept by three per cent. Six councillors voted in favour of it with three against. There was one abstention.

“It’s ridiculous when you look back at it,” said Coun Harker. “It wasn’t just a figure we picked out of fresh air, but it was very badly timed in terms of the national situation. The alternative proposal is far more sensible.’’