HOUSEHOLDERS in Teesdale face a 9.9pc increase in the amount of council tax they pay to the district council when the authority's budget is determined later this month.

Those attending a public meeting on Tuesday were told that this would mean the occupiers of a Band D property in the dale would pay £177.12 a year as Teesdale Council's share of the tax. This equates to an extra £15.58 a year, or just short of 30p a week.

The large increase has arisen because of a shortfall of £567,000 in the amount needed to meet the authority's statutory commitments. The deficit will be funded by an increase of £48,000 in Government grants, the £141,000 generated by the rise in its share of the council tax, and £429,000 of savings which will be identified when the budget is set on February 25.

The details of where savings might be made could not be revealed at Tuesday's meeting, but it was stated that some will come from the authority's reserves while the rest will be brought about by the reduction of "non-statutory services" - services that the council does not have to provide by law.

Coun David Armstrong said tough decisions would have to be made, with non-statutory services, contributions and donations pared to the bone.

This could affect organisations such as the luncheon clubs and the Citizens' Advice Bureau or services such as tourism and public conveniences if the budget is ratified by the council.

Coun Robin Simpson said the Government's message was that it funded local councils to the tune of 75pc, but in Teesdale it was 52pc, with the rest coming from ratepayers.

The authority's director of corporate services, Sue Rae, said they were also forced to implement statutory requirements such as the new licensing Act, with no money to back them up.

"The income will not cover the cost of administering the service," she added.