AT THE Budget and Performance Scrutiny meeting last week, a further update on Hounslow Council's budget for the next year, including information on potential council tax rises, was expected from the Leader of the Council, but no such report was presented to the panel.

Members of the scrutiny panel were angered on Tuesday March 2, by what they saw as being left in the dark' over the council's budget, after no update was provided on information that was last received in early February, during a general briefing from Leader of the Council, Cllr Chatt.

Cllr Raymond Fincher of the Liberal Democrats, was furious at the way the matter had been handled and the lack of information. He told the Times: "This is an absolute farce. There was no report and this is not the first time this has happened.

"This The Scrutiny Panel is the senior committee for looking into potential council tax rises, among other matters and many hours have been put in by cross party members on this issue. The lack of information sums up the minimal level of democracy at Hounslow Council and I am currently considering my position."

A member of the panel, who did not wish to be named, added: "The committee were appalled that the scrutiny panel has been completely left in the dark over budget plans and given no opportunity to comment on significant parts of the budget including council tax rises. Also, if there are any significant changes in expenditure, then scrutiny have, once again, not been given any chance to comment on these."

A spokeswoman for the Council responded on behalf of Cllr John Chatt to the criticisms, saying: "The Leader did not fail to provide a report to the Panel, as there was no request for a report on the budget or to attend the Scrutiny meeting. A full debate on the council tax will take place next Tuesday, as normal, at the borough council."

The prospect of huge potential increases in council tax are currently looming in most London boroughs.

The situation has become so serious that government ministers may be forced to use capping powers to hold down rises in England, as an average of 6 per cent increase has been predicted.