AN opposition councillor is to call for a fairer distribution of money for environmental improvements.

Councillor Ben Ord is to submit a motion on the issue to a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council tomorrow.

At present, people can request money for enhancements including parking bays, street lights, footpaths and landscaping through the area forums run by the council.

But Coun Ord says most of the money goes to improve council estates and little to people in private homes.

He said: "I've had requests from people in Spennymoor wanting to have improved car parking facilities, for example, but when I check with the council there has been very little money there at all - practically none. I've asked the council to look at this to get a pot and divide it out in the five areas of Sedgefield borough, so that private households can have access to improvements as well.

"I support money going to council estates. But I think there's an unfairness here because people are coming up with suggestions for improvements and there's no money, so they see very little return for the council tax they're paying."

The council meets at its offices in Green Lane, Spennymoor, at 11am tomorrow