PEOPLE living in Teesdale have criticised plans to cut services while increasing council tax.

Teesdale District Council says it faces a potential deficit of more than £800,000 and is looking at ways to save cash.

These include shutting many of the dale's public toilets and raising charges in council-owned car parks.

However, proposals to invest £15,000 on an improved dog warden service and 25 dog waste bins have been welcomed.

About 30 parish councillors and members of the Teesdale Citizens' Panel attended a consultation meeting on the district council's forthcoming budget.

They heard how the council is also planning to invest £200,000 on upgrading the Hole in the Wall car park at Barnard Castle.

But there are also proposals to charge for using the free car.

Councillor Virginia Trotter, from Staindrop Parish Council, who praised the plans for dog waste bins, said there was a perception the authority was very over-staffed.

"At the moment, we're paying more council tax and appearing to get less services," she added.

Interim chief executive Kingsley Smith said, in comparison to other authorities, Teesdale's officers carried out more work.

He said: "On the basis of a five per cent increase in council tax, we feel that we can produce a surplus of £81,000. But we mustn't be complacent, we must continue to look for key savings in order that we can balance the books in future years."

Mr Smith added: "The council's probably in the strongest position that it's been for a considerable period of time."

A medium-term financial plan had identified several areas where money could be saved.

With a council tax rise of five per cent, the authority would have a surplus of £81,209.

But with a rise of 2.8 per cent, in line with inflation, this would only leave the council with a surplus of about £40,000, meaning less money could be spent on services such as the toilets.

A poll conducted at the meeting revealed that people were overwhelmingly in favour of a minimal council tax rise.