A COUNCIL has hit back at claims that it uses another authority's battered women's refuge without paying for it.

Councillor Bill Dixon, deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, has criticised authorities which use the Darlington women's refuge without providing similar services of their own.

He singled out Richmondshire District Council as one of the offending authorities.

However, the council has said it does make a contribution and actually runs a refuge itself

More than half of all the users of Darlington women's refuge are from outside of the borough.

Coun Dixon said: "This authority has got a long tradition of being a front leader in terms of domestic violence.

"We still have problems with other authorities not making any provision whatsoever.

"We are not going to turn any women away, but it's particularly galling that authorities like Richmond refuse to make any kind of provision, but are happy to photocopy maps to our provision."

Darlington has a new purpose-built eight-unit refuge managed by Family Help.

Between May 2003 and January last year, it accommodated 76 women and 121 children.

The strategy says that one explanation for the use of the refuge by women from outside Darlington is the presence of Catterick Army base.

However, Richmondshire District Council says it has had a three-bedroomed flat for domestic abuse victims since Christmas last year and intends to increase emergency accommodation.

It also employs a domestic abuse coordinator along with Hambleton District Council who works closely with Darlington Family Help.

A spokeswoman said: "The two councils have a joint initiative and each pays Family Help £11,304 per year because it was recognised by the Hambleton and Richmondshire Domestic Abuse Forum that Darlington was doing work on behalf of both Richmondshire and Hambleton.

"This money has enabled the charity to offer a full outreach service in Darlington and North Yorkshire and, without this money, the charity has said the full service would simply not be possible."

She added that the Darlington refuge was part of a national network and not just for Darlington people.