CASH-strapped Durham County Council was last night accused of wasting tax payers money on refurbishments to County Hall.

Details of decorating work in committee and members rooms as part of a £300,000 revamp at headquarters emerged with the authority under increasing pressure to cut costs.

The revamp is said to include wallpaper from Italy, which a councillor claimed cost more than £8 a metre, and nine "globe" style light fittings running into hundreds of pounds each.

Council tax payers are already facing rises of more than five per cent after the authority received a "disappointing" Government spending settlement.

The council is also pressing ahead with revised plans to close 24 old people's homes, saving up to £60m.

Independent Councillor John Shuttleworth, who uncovered details of the spending, said he had written to council chiefs for an explanation.

He said: "They are shutting the care homes and telling us they cannot afford to spend any money on them. Then they go and waste public money on something like this - it is scandalous.

"How on earth the powers that be can justify this I don't know, but I'm sure they'll make all sorts of excuses."

The internal work, also going on in the leader's room and surrounding corridors, was criticised by Conservative County Councillor Alan Scott, who represents Barnard Castle West.

He said: "I don't think they should have been spending all this money and certainly things have gone too far."

County Hall officials said they were not in a position to provide a detailed breakdown of the spending because the work had not yet been finished.

They said the wallpaper had cost £5.49 a metre, contrary to a price obtained by Coun Shuttleworth from the suppliers for the work, and would last for a minimum of 30 years. The lights would also be "cost effective".

Spokesman Fraser Davie said the costs of the revamp were not being met from the annual budget, but from the sale of capital receipts.

It was the first major work carried out at the building for almost 40 years in response to changing demands for facilities.

He said: "There has been a decision to re-organise to provide more flexible accommodation for councillors, improved access for the disabled and better facilities for public use.

"This work has involved a significant amount of structural alteration and works to parts of the building.

"For the most part carpets, curtains and furniture have been re-used, but yes some soft furnishings and decor have been necessary."

Mr Davie added that in the long run it was cheaper to select "good quality materials" which while not always the least expensive, offered a longer life.

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