Darlington'S cabinet members were yesterday relishing what could be one of their few remaining free cups of tea and coffee.

The traditional perk - plus biscuits - was just one of the cost cutting measures as departments try to balance their budgets for the year ahead..

Paul Wildsmith, director of corporate services, estimated the authority could save £20,000 a year just by asking officers and councillors to pay for their own drinks from existing vending machines.

The financial director also recommended the 12.5pc increase in council tax announced last week, which is needed to keep services ticking over. It would amount to a £64 increase on the tax bill for the average householder.

Cliff Brown, director of community services, expects to save £50,000 by altering the method of refuse collection and another £90,000 a year streamlining its services at its Vicarage Road depot..

He reported: "At present, the method of refuse collection is one of the most expensive. Refuse is collected from wherever householders choose to leave it, involving a mixture of receptacles, from dustbins to plastic sacks and carrier bags.

"A quarter of residents still leave their refuse at the back door and use dustbins, which involve double, or even treble handling."

A review was likely to recommend a common collection point, probably based in the front of the property, or kerbside and either the use of plastic sacks or wheeled bins. That would bring Darlington into line with other authorities.

The development and environment department proposed saving £15,000 by shedding one pest control officer and another £130,000 by combining the tourism and economic development services and budgets. One tourism job would be lost.

About £60,000 less could be spent on highway surface dressing, but the director, John Buxton stressed: "There will be nothing noticeable, other than a shorter length of road being covered with chippings every summer." That would be offset by the big increase in Government money to improve the highway network.

Some minor increases in service charges, mainly for leisure pursuits, were also recommended.