CONSERVATIVES are preparing to raise questions about the budget proposals revealed by Darlington Borough Council last week.

The authority is planning to raise council tax by 4.8 per cent, meaning tax payers in Band A would pay an extra 57p per week.

Officials have insisted that the council will deliver good value for money, with council tax in Darlington still the lowest in the North-East.

But with a central Government grant falling short of what was expected, they are planning to dip into the council's £6.8m reserves to help fund some services.

Tory resources spokesman Charles Johnson said: "The matter will come up at a scrutiny committee soon and that's when it will be debated.

"We find the use of reserves very strange as it was ruled out quite vehemently by the Labour group last year."

The council has pointed to the £3m refurbishment of the Dolphin Centre, a new £35m Haughton education village, new schools at Skerne Park, Middleton St George and Cockerton and the £7m town centre pedestrianisation scheme as evidence of its commitment to residents.