CALLS for a referendum asking Bolton Council taxpayers whether they would pay more in exchange for improved services have been voted down.

A motion tabled by Liberal Democrats at last night's meeting of Bolton Council demanded full consultation ahead of the council tax bill being set next spring.

Cllr Roger Hayes also wanted the public fully informed about the effect on services of measures to be proposed in the 2001/2002 budget.

He suggested the council use its recently-established area forums for a proper debate on tax levels.

Area forums are open meetings where members of the public are invited to discuss issues with councillors and officers.

Cllr Hayes said: "The people of Bolton want to have it put to them straight. Do they want to have decent services and pay more or have rubbish services and pay less?"

All council departments except education and social services have been asked by finance director Steve Arnfield to find savings of up to two per cent.

Despite this, council tax bills are expected to increase more than five per cent because of a likely shortfall between Government funding and council spending commitments.

But council leader Bob Howarth said it was premature to talk about consultation when Bolton did not yet know how much grant it would receive from the Government.

He said: "We have to recognise that the Government inherited a lot of problems and is not in a position to deliver on all its pledges within the first three years."

The motion was defeated.