THE cost to taxpayers of Darwen Town Council has been announced.

The new council’s precept was set at tonight’s meeting in Darwen Town Hall.

It will raise around £122,000 to spend on the council’s work.

But a row greeted the move, with critics saying it was too early to say how much cash the council actually needed.

Residents living in the following bands will be charged as follows:

* A £9.33
* B £10.89
* C £12.44
* D £14
* E £17.11
* F £20.22
* G £23.33
* H £28.

The budget kicks in when the next financial year starts in April.

The council, which has low-level local powers and is consulted on planning applications, has also taken a £100,000 interest-free loan from the borough council.

But there was criticism last night that the tax had been set when only one of the three committees had met.

The finance committee has met once, but those for development and communities are yet to sit.

Coun John East said: “This council seems to be doing everything the wrong way round.

"Why haven’t the committees come back to full council with what they want to spend money on?”

Coun Steve Duncan said: “How can you set the precept when there’s only been one meeting?

“They were set up about four months ago. I’m on the development committee, and without us telling the finance committee what we want to do, how can they set the budget?

“When I became a town councillor I honestly thought that I could make a difference, but all I’ve done is cost residents of Darwen money.

“Most of the things we talked about have never happened.”

Coun Tony Melia said any cash raised above £122,000 would be put in reserve for future years.

Coun Melia said: “Although the committees haven’t met we have a good idea of what things will cost.

“The precept has to be set quickly.”