I SEE Darlington Borough Council has seen fit to turn down Government money as offered by the Local Government Secretary.

Instead of agreeing to freeze council tax and accepting the grant available, the council has increased charges for hardpressed residents by two per cent.

Wage increases are very hard to come by these days and I would like to point out that while the council can increase its charges, hard-working residents will have to face a decline in living standards to pay.

We are always taught that there are two sides to any story so before writing this letter I thought an inspection of the council expenditure may have brought some consolation.

Imagine my dismay when I read in the list of council expenditure that £3,750 was paid out for hospitality and room hire.

Just who the council thought it needed to be hospitable to it does not say, but as a tax payer I have to ask the question that with the large property portfolio of the local authority. Where was the need for it to hire an outside venue?

Chris Atkinson, Darlington.