TOWN hall bosses in Blackburn were attacked today for raising council tax after Labour leaders of Lancashire's other new unitary authority said going-it-alone was helping them to cut bills by 13 per cent.

Labour-run Blackpool council is set to cut council tax by an average of £100 after claiming the break from County Hall control will save money.

But Labour-run Blackburn with Darwen Council is adding an average of 5.6 percent, the equivalant of £46, to bills in April, claiming the money is needed to protect services.

Council tax bills for the rest of Lancashire, including Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley, are likely to be 12 per cent higher in April.

Labour's ruling group at County Hall say the county increase is paying for the local government reorganisation.

Tory leaders at Blackburn town hall are calling on their rivals to follow Labour's example in Blackpool and make massive cuts in council tax. Blackpool Council's ruling Labour group claim the decision to have just one council running all the area's services has improved the financial picture.

They have also been able to make reductions because the borough was underfunded by Lancashire County Council for many years, resulting in a larger than expected hand-out when the Government shared out cash earlier this year.

Council leader Ivan Taylor said: "We were determined residents should reap the benefits of better savings generated as a result of all services being provided locally.

"None of the town's money will be goingtowards services provided in other areas of the county. In future all Blackpool's money will be spent on Blackpool."

Jim Hirst, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council's Conservative group, said: "We have always argued council tax should be much lower in the borough. "The Labour group keep talking about their visions and values but it is about time some consideration is given to the council tax payers.

"We could make savings in the council tax and still protect essential services in the borough."

But Malcolm Doherty, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, believes the main aim should be to protect services in the borough.

He said: "Historically Blackpool Council has always under spent on services.

"In Blackburn and Darwen we have always believed we should spend up to the maximum in the borough to provide the best possible services.

"Over the years we have been improving services gradually compared with the rest of the county and we will continue to do so."

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