AN opposition councillor says money can be found to provide environmental improvements on private housing estates.

A proposal by Councillor Ben Ord to increase Sedgefield Borough Council's budget for environmental enhancements was rejected by members.

At present, people can request money for improvements such as parking bays, street lights, footpaths and landscaping, through the area forums, run by the council.

However, Coun Ord says the money goes to council estates and people in private households are missing out.

At a full council meeting, Councillor Bill Waters said area forum money was ring fenced and could not be used for any other purpose. He said some cash has been set aside to help private sector housing, but to increase that would mean other services might have to be cut.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Ord said: "I will be looking at all areas of council spending before the next budget and I will come up with alternative budget, which will accommodate money for private environmental enhancement. It can be done, they just don't want to do it."