A COUNCIL looking at a four per cent hike in its council tax is sounding the alarm bells over a 'crisis' in adult social care warning repeated temporary fixes by the government are causing harm.

North Yorkshire County council says it has "unrelenting demand" in adult care and while the government has come up with temporary funding of nearly £62m, the authority is operating amid huge uncertainty and in the face of losses of £136m in direct grants.

Council leader Councillor Carl Les said: "We urgently need an end to temporary funding and a more permanent solution via a full spending review covering three to four years so we can plan properly given the escalating demand."

Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance added: "North Yorkshire rightly has a reputation for sound financial management, delivering high-quality services and being forward-thinking.

"The reality is two of our biggest areas of spend are now significantly underfunded. Adults who need social care and children with special educational needs are some for the most vulnerable people we look after and the services we offer can be life-saving and life-changing. We want the best for our residents.

"We need a sustainable solution not sticking plasters or continuing social care precepts, which push the costs for adult social care onto local people. Given the unrelenting demand we face we have had to utilise the precept option, but this is not something we want to rely on looking ahead.

"Alongside those challenges we have to save a further £40 million over the next four years. The Budget report sets out plans for £21 million, but we still have £19 million to find. We need financial clarity so we are not planning in the dark."

The council's executive will consider the authority's budget next week with proposals to increase council tax by 3.99 per cent, around, £4.36 per month or £52 a year for average properties.The council’s director of resources Gary Fielding said: "Our ask of Government is for a national funding solution for the adult care crisis and clarification around budget and responsibilities for children with special educational needs. Alongside this we desperately need more capital funding for our highways and school buildings and a devolution deal which best serves the county’s people and businesses."