A ROW has broken out over the costs of setting up and running two new town councils.

Durham City and Crook could get their own assemblies in May 2013, under a timetable agreed by Durham County Council today.

The councils could take responsibility for some facilities and minor services, as well as being consulted on planning matters.

However, councillors have clashed over how much they would cost local taxpayers.

Framwellgate Moor councillor Mark Wilkes asked how much consultation on the proposals alone would cost.

An initial consultation will run from November 1 to December 31. After draft proposals are published in April, two more months of consultation will follow; before final recommendations in October and elections in May 2013.

Sherburn councillor Carol Woods asked why figures showing Great Aycliffe Town Council spends £1.6m a year were included in the consultation documents, while Coun John Wilkinson, who represents Deerness Valley, asked whether the council was trying to ‘frighten people off’.

Colette Longbottom, Durham County Council’s head of legal and democratic services, said predicting the consultation’s cost was difficult but taxpayers should know the new authorities would raise precepts.

She said: "It’s not a question of frightening off the people of Durham City. It’s an attempt to be as honest and balanced as possible."

Coun Patricia Jopling, of Crook North and Tow Law, said Crook was losing its swimming pool because it didn’t have a town council; while Coun John Bailey, from the same ward, said he was very happy with progress.

Coun Nigel Martin, of Neville’s Cross, said: "I’m glad we’re getting on with this at last. There’s a large set of people within the city of Durham that want to get on with this. There’s a democratic deficit in the city in the current structure."

Council leader Simon Henig said he was frustrated the review had been delayed but everyone must be given their say.

It would be wrong not to discuss costs but a few thousand pounds was a small price to pay for increasing democratic accountability, he added.

Residents of Crook and Durham have been campaigning for town councils for several years. People in affected areas will receive a questionnaire in coming weeks.