CITY Council Tax payers face a hike of 4.9% in their bill for Town Hall services.

The budget put forward by the Lib Dem/Labour administration was condemned by outraged Tories as 'daylight robbery'.

But the ruling groups say 'millions of pounds will be ploughed into public services' with no cuts for just 14p a week extra for an average band D property.

Last minute proposals put forward by the Conservatives for a below inflation increase of 2.96%, their first budget for four years, were condemned by deputy council leader Cllr John Price (Lab, Blacon Hall) as 'fantasy finance'. Council leader Cllr David Evans (Lib Dem, Upton Grange) commented: 'They are bankrupt of ideas, now they want to bankrupt the council.'

Resources portfolio holder Cllr Paul Roberts (Lib Dem, Farndon) insisted he was 'proud' of the budget. 'This is a budget which I believe strikes the right balance and which will bring real benefits to everyone in Chester district for a very modest price,' he said.

The Town Hall says its £15.5m spending plans will bring 'substantial investment, efficiency savings, but no cuts to services'.

A capital investment programme has been agreed for important projects and grant schemes while extensive savings and the implementation of the council's own workforce plan will save more than £1m.

Recycling, public toilets, open spaces, e-government, housing renovation and disabled facility grants are among areas to be targeted for major cash injections in the new financial year, along with other projects including the excavation of the amphitheatre and public transport initiatives .

Play areas will have £100,000 a year set aside for them over the next three years and there will be £61,000 in 2005/06 for drainage and a pavilion at the King George V playing fields in Westminster Park. The council agreed £300,000 this year for the Community Wardens programme, rising to £380,000 in 2006/07 and £395,000 in the following year. There will also be £55,000 a year for three years in the 3 Cheers recycling scheme.

Parish councils are to have £30,000 as a first step towards recognising that for the last 30 years, people in Chester's rural and urban parishes have been paying for their own services, such as play areas and maintaining playing fields, as well as making a contribution to similar services provided elsewhere in the city.

In a joint statement Cllr Evans and Cllr Price said: 'This is a budget for investment and efficiency .

'For an average of 14p extra a week there will be no cuts in services, yet we will be able to make savings of up to £1m.

'Our stated aim is to improve the quality of life for residents.

'Undertaking these major projects as well as carrying out all the other duties and services expected of the city council will help us to keep on delivering for local people.'