MEMBERS of Cumbria County Council have approved a 4.99 per cent rise in its share of the council tax along with £9 million of savings in a "tough budget" - despite fears by charities that the elderly and disadvantaged will be hardest hit, reports Ruth Lythe.

The controversial budget includes a ten per cent cut in library opening hours, the scrapping of school clothing grants, plus price hikes for day and home care and the meals on wheels service.

Council leaders said that the savings were vital so that the authority could "prudently" put away cash towards a potential £50 million equal pay claim for 2,960 female CCC employees.

In a landmark ruling last year, a tribunal agreed that the women were paid less for doing the equivalent work of male employees.

At the budget fixing meeting yesterday (Thursday, February 15) Tim Stoddard, the leader of the Lib Dem/Conservative alliance described the budget as one of "the hardest the council had had to set".

For general reaction and full details, see this week's Westmorland Gazette.