NORBRECK ward councillor Peter Callow has slammed Blackpool Borough Council for a hike in council house rents which will leave some residents paying an average weekly rise of £5.58.

The council's executive committee on January 31 accepted a recommendation to that effect from the Housing and Social Services department.

The news comes after a financial forecast that at present rent rates, the council's Housing Revenue Account would be left with a deficit of more than £600,000.

Coun Callow said that prior to last year's election the weekly rise in rents was a mere £1.45, and the new figure was a massive increase on this.

He said: "This is a lot of money which will be paid back to the Government. The council says they got their financial calculations wrong and they need the extra money. "Our point is that although the council have to balance their budgets, people do too, and suddenly they are hit with this. Some of these council tenants are the most vulnerable people in society."

Steve Pullan, director of the council's Housing and Social Services department, said Blackpool had traditionally had a low level of rent compared with other councils.

He said: "In our view this is a relatively modest rise and the money is required to do all the things that tenants expect.

"The rise will take effect in April but the poorest people in the town will be protected because they are covered by housing benefit."

But Coun Callow said:" The worst hit are those who live just above the level which entitles them to benefits. They will now have to dig deep to pay out for Blackpool Borough Council's mismanagement of finance. It always comes back to the public having to pay for the council's mistakes."