HOUSEHOLDS in Hull can expect their council tax bills to rise from April, ending a three-year freeze.
The city council's ruling Labour group has unveiled the expected 1.9 per cent increase as part of its annual budget proposals.
If confirmed, it would mean most households in the city will see their annual £898 bill increase by £17.52.
The budget also includes plans to shut Anlaby Park library in west Hull and three customer service centres as well as end funding support for three motor-based youth projects in the city.
At least 240 staff will see their posts disappear in a shake-up of so-called "back office" jobs at the council, while others will be encouraged to apply for voluntary redundancy.
Council leader Steve Brady said: "It's not a great time to be doing this job because of the funding cuts we have received from the Government but we have to do the best with what we've got.
"Some of the decisions we are taking have not been easy ones to make but I remain optimistic about the future for the people of Hull.
"When a company like Siemens says it has confidence in Hull and its people, then I take great heart from that."
Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale said the Government's recent annual core funding allocation for Hull for 2013-14 represented a reduction of 8p in every £1 compared with the current year.
Next year, that will increase by another 10p in every £1.
He said: "These are eye-watering sums to take out of public spending in Hull and mean that the council has had to make genuinely tough decisions that will change the way the council operates and the number of people that work in the services that it provides."
Some budget measures were announced some weeks ago, including a switch to fortnightly bin collections and proposed changes to staff terms and conditions.
However, new elements include the closure of the Anlaby Park library and reduced opening hours at other libraries.
Three council customer service centres will close in Calvert Lane, Preston Road and Walker Street.
Two motor-based youth projects in east Hull and one in Bransholme will also have their funding cut.
