THERE has been a mixed response to proposals to increase council tax by more than £50 for most people in Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council announced last week that it is planning to increase council tax bills by 12.5 per cent this financial year.

The authority, which is also having to make savings of £1.2m, says the increase is necessary to maintain a good level of services in the town.

A meeting of the council's resources scrutiny committee yesterday gave councillors, unions, voluntary organisations and the public the first opportunity to comment on the proposals.

While most said they were in favour of the increase if it meant protecting services, others were more sceptical.

Alan Docherty, branch secretary of the public services union Unison in Darlington, said there were still a lot of areas in the council's medium-term financial plan which needed further clarification.

He said he was particularly disappointed that staff working in the town hall restaurant were only told of its proposed closure after a story appeared in The Northern Echo.

"There are a lot of holes in this budget which we will be seeking further clarification about, and we are still sceptical about the statement that there will be no job losses," he said.

Kevin Richards, chief officer for the Council for Voluntary Services, said the tax increase would help voluntary organisations in the town.

"We don't believe we should cut non-statutory services and that means there is a real need to increase council tax. This will still not take us anywhere near being the most expensive authority," he said.

Darlington council has stressed that there will be no job losses or cuts in the most vital services, and that the increase will mean more money will be spent on education and social services. Despite the increase, council tax in Darlington will still be lowest in the North-East