LABOUR-controlled Bolton Council is to tell the Government that it does not support part of its Local Government Bill.

Councillors are unhappy about proposals which would mean that the local authority could lose money unless it sets the council tax that the Government recommends.

They are now going to write to the town's three MPs asking them to urge the Government to think again.

The Government has this year set an increase target of 4.5pc council tax for local councils.

Under the new legislation, the council could lose money from the £12 million it receives to pay out in council tax benefit.

This could mean a reduction in the number of people who could receive help to pay their bills.

Director of Finance Mr Steve Arnfield said: "It means that we would lose money if we set a higher council tax than the Government recommends."

Tory deputy leader Cllr John Walsh called on the council to oppose it.

He said that it had been described by the director of finance of the pressure group the Local Government Association as "the poor paying for the nearly poor."

And Labour councillors said that they would back moves by the Local Government Association to have it taken out of the Bill.

Labour Cllr Guy Harkin, deputy council leader, said: "Irrespective of which Government is in power, our concern is to act in the best interests of the people of this town.

"If that means kicking our own Government, then we will kick it."

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