A ROW has erupted over claims the new council administration is cutting services in a bid to reduce council tax hikes.

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of deceiving the electorate by announcing the cuts shortly after seizing control of the council last month.

At a Policy and Resources Committee meeting, documents showed the Conservatives are planning to withdraw more than £400,000 from a range of services including street lighting, winter maintenance, tree planting carriageway reconstruction and on-street parking.

The money will be transferred into funding a waste and refuse collection contract. But the Liberal Democrats said “this is a disgrace and a taste of things to come”.

St Mary Cray councillor David McBride said: “They have flatly refused to take money out of the council reserves to ensure services are maintained properly. There is no doubt this is all linked to their pledge to only increase council tax by single figures.

“When we were in administration we decided to use the extra money generated from council tax to maintain services but it looks as though the Conservatives' determination to reduce council taxes will see services suffer as a result.”

Liberal Democrat environmental services spokesman Councillor Martin Lockwood attacked the cuts.

“The Tories in opposition gave the impression to the electorate these budgets would be increased if they came back into control,” he said.

“However, just weeks after winning back control they are making huge cuts in services.”

Conservative council chief Councillor Michael Tickner hit back at the accusations, claiming the re-distribution of funds would improve council services.

He said: “They are just scaremongering. It's a bit rich having a go at us when they set the budgets in the first place.

“I admit we are bringing in a new financial regime whereby funds will be moved more freely between departments. But I refute any accusations that services will suffer as a result.

“I have always said we are committed to keeping council tax increases to single figures whlie also improving services.”