REFERENDUMS on rises in council tax would be "a move in the right direction", according to a leading Harrow councillor.

Councillor David Ashton, portfolio holder for finance on Harrow Council, supported a proposal by Conservative Party leader David Cameron for a vote if a local authority wants to increase council tax.

The council would have to tell voters why they wanted such a big increase and what the alternative budget would be.

But cllr Ashton does not think the vote should be triggered automatically.

He said: "One of the problems is a lack of local control. It should be up to the local authority to put the budget to the public."

Bill Stephenson, deputy leader of the Labour group on the council, voiced opposition to the plans.

He said: "Councillors do not just decide things in referendums - we have consultations with the public.

"We are elected for a four year term and then after that if the public want we can be re-elected. This is a very difficult road to go down.

"You have to take into account what local people think but you also have to have a plan for two, three of four years ahead. A referendum is short term."