Glusburn Parish Council has been accused of spending money "like it grows on trees" after local taxpayers face another rise in their council tax precept.

Members agreed to ask for £63,558 from Glusburn and Cross Hills residents to pay for its activities in the coming year.

This year's 14.5 per cent rise means the precept has increased by nearly 80 per cent in four years. And the figure is almost double the figure for 2000/01 which stood at £35,200.

It means the average household will be paying £46.11 in addition to charges for North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, fire and police authorities. Last year the figure was £39.92.

Past chairman Roger Nicholson accused the parish council of spending money like it "grew on trees". "If the Government put income tax or petrol up by 80 per cent people would complain bitterly. Because no-one's bothered about finding out what the precept is, it doesn't give you a licence to spend it as you wish," he said.

"Inflation for the last four years has been less than 2.8 per cent but the parish council has increased its precept by 80 per cent over the same period. You are using money, but I don't think you are using your common sense."

Referring to the breakdown of the proposed precept, Mr Nicholson said it was not clear what the money would be spent on.

District Councillor and Cross Hills resident Mark Wheeler agreed, asking what "management costs" and "professional costs" meant, and why chairman Gill Birks had precepted for a £100 personal allowance.

Coun Birks replied that in the past year she had spent her own money on hospitality for French visitors and flowers for sick and retiring council members.

Coun Birks added that "professional costs" related to plans to replace the public toilets in the park.

There was also provision for £10,250 to be spent on a booking clerk for Glusburn Institute to increase the use of the building. Mr Nicholson argued that the council should not be spending money on the institute since it was only a trustee.

However, Coun Allan Thompson said it would be money well spent. "If we spend £10,000 to get £20,000 then I will be thrilled to bits," he said.

Coun Wheeler suggested using £50,000 from reserves to reduce council tax bills, but Coun Birks defended the precept saying it had taken a lot of time and effort to draw up, and was not just produced 'off the cuff'.

The precept was passed unanimously.