Parish councillors in Darlington's rural wards are furious at plans to withdraw funding. Owen Amos reports

ANGRY parish councillors have strongly criticised Darlington Borough Council proposals to withdraw £34,000 of grants.

Parish councillors say the plans would force them to increase their council tax precept - and claim the cuts are politically motivated.

The Labour group, which controls Darlington Borough Council, has no councillors in the four rural wards: Heighington and Coniscliffe, Hurworth, Middleton St George, and Sadberge and Whessoe.

Parish councillors say the cuts would not be considered if Labour relied on votes in those wards.

But John Williams, leader of the council, said the claim was "nonsense".

The cuts, if approved by the borough council, would see parish council grants - worth £12,000 in Middleton St George, and £9,000 in Hurworth - withdrawn in 2009/10.

In a letter to parish council clerks, Paul Wildsmith, the borough council's director of corporate services, wrote: "The council faces a very challenging budget and will have to make some difficult decisions.

"In reviewing parish grants, the cabinet noted the council is in the minority in providing a direct subsidy to parish councils."

But parish councillors are unimpressed.

Councillor Ian Holme, vice chairman of Hurworth Parish Council, said: "Following last year's elections, there was much talk of Darlington Borough Council having learned a lesson. A few short months on, they show their true colours once again.

"Their draft budget makes references to one Darlington' and the buzz of a city', making it clear the rural areas have not been considered as part of their vision at all."

Councillor Brian Jones, who represents Sadberge and Whessoe on the borough council, and chairs the Darlington Association of Parish Councils, said: "It's a further slap in the face for the rural communities - and this comes after the news of the removal of the bus subsidy in Sadberge.

"Every time the axe has to come down, it comes down in the villages. There is no doubt it's a cynical political move, as it will not affect any of their own councillors."

Councillor Doris Jones, who represents Middleton St George on the borough council and is chairwoman of its parish council, said: "The parish council owns all of the land in Middleton St George - we have responsibility for open areas, and children's facilities, and so on.

"Without that grant, we can't do it. The precept will have to go up, and we already have the highest tax rates in the borough. It is hypocritical when they talk of one borough."

Councillor Gerald Lee, who represents Heighington and Coniscliffe and is a Heighington parish councillor, said: "I'm amazed and appalled. We pay more than £1m on council tax in Heighington and get extremely little back.

"Council tax has doubled since 2000 and our grant has barely increased."

Coun Williams said: "This accusation (of bias) is nonsense and completely untrue. We spend millions in our villages every year."