COUNCILLORS have defeated an 11th hour attempt to reduce council tax rises in line with inflation.

The Conservative group on Darlington Borough Council was attempting to ensure council tax rises of 2.5 per cent by 2009-10, but the move was thrown out at a special meeting of the full council last night.

Instead, the Labour group's initial proposal for a 4.38 per cent rise from next month was approved.

Council leader John Williams labelled the Tory proposals as unambitious.

The Conservative group had attempted to cut the rise in council tax each year until it reached the expected inflation rate in 2009-10.

It would have meant a four per cent increase this year, reduced by 0.5 per cent over the following three years.

But Councillor Williams said: "It just shows you are bankrupt of ambition."

The Conservatives wanted to increase efficiency savings without cutting services to reduce the annual tax rises.

Leader of the group, Councillor Tony Richmond, said: "It is our objective to become the best authority in the country, to continue to deliver services but reduce council tax by 0.5 per cent each year so that by the end of the four-year period it is nearly the rate of inflation."

He said that since 1997, council tax had increased by between 80 and 90 per cent.

And he added that Darlington taxpayers faced another 20 per cent rise on present tax levels over the next four years.

Coun Richmond added: "This remorseless increase is about two or three times the rate of inflation. When will it stop?"

But Coun Williams said his party's figures represented the council's future plans.

He said: "We have some ambitious plans for Darlington. This budget builds on previous years' plans and we want to continue to deliver services to the people of Darlington without cutting services."

Efficiency savings will be made in youth and warden services and plans to further improve street scene services.

Coun Williams said: "Darlington has the lowest council tax in the North-East region and is low compared to the rest of the country.

"That will still be the case if we move the recommendation I am putting forward."

The original Labour proposal was approved with a large majority.