OPPOSITION councillors have called for a rethink on Sedgefield Borough Council's spending policies after a review of its funds.

Liberal Democrat members said the authority could put its money to better use, highlighting items which they feel cost the council taxpayer more than they are worth.

Spennymoor Councillor Ben Ord said, after an annual review and performance plan were discussed at a council meeting last week, that he was concerned money being spent was not producing the results residents deserved.

He said: "Residents in Sedgefield pay very high council tax and I am worried that some of it is being spent on the wrong things.

"For example, every visit to the Timothy Hackworth Museum in Shildon costs the council, and therefore the council taxpayer, £29.68.

"£601,000 is spent on community safety, yet reports of public nuisance have doubled in the past year. I don't think that is value for money."

A spokesman for Sedgefield Borough Council said: "These figures were discussed as part of the borough council's Best Value Performance Plan, which was approved by the council last week.

"It is currently being independently audited by the District Audit Service."