THE ruling Liberal Democrats of Durham City Council are promising residents "even better services'' in future, thanks to what they say is the city council's sound financial footing.

But their Labour opponents say there is concern about the sell-off of land for regeneration and what they say is a cutback in some services.

Cabinet member for finance, Carol Woods, said her party had kept its promise to rigorously control spending in the last financial year - the first budget it had set and managed.

It had built up the low level of reserves it inherited when it took control of the council, which would provide a solid foundation for achieving its vision, said Coun Woods.

The council was helping the city and villages "to thrive and prosper'' by using its land to develop affordable housing and create funds to invest in services being delivered to "higher standards''.

She said: "There will be even better services in the future.

But Labour leader David Bell said there was concern in the villages that money from land sales was partly going to the city, to fund projects such as the new swimming baths.

"Talk to people and they are not happy. Visits by care wardens have been reduced to once every six weeks, charges have been introduced for removing bees and wasps and a lot of charges have gone up."