TOWN councillors have had to go back to the drawing board over budget plans.
In January Morpeth Town Council approved a two per cent rise in its share of council tax bills to cover inflation and rising administration costs and maintain a ‘standstill’ budget.
The figures were submitted on schedule to Northumberland County Council.
But later the county authority revealed that it was reviewing its predicted rates for non-collection of council tax from 0.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent.
The change would leave the town council with a £6,533 deficit.
At an extraordinary meeting members agreed that rather than increasing bills, the council would cover the loss from balances if required.