COUNCIL tax bills will rise by 4.1% in Kirklees next year after a surprise vote at the hung council.

Liberal Democrats - the largest party on the town hall benches - sprang a shock by supporting Labour spending plans.

Their move came after their own proposals for a 5.9% increase were voted down.

Lib-Dem councillors said it was not worth prolonging talks arguing over such a small difference in bills.

Clr Kath Pinnock, the Lib-Dem who leads the council, said: "The difference in cost to the taxpayer between our proposals and the others is a mere 30p a week - not even the price of a bottle of milk."

The new tax rate means band D payers will be charged £1,131 a year, a rise of £45.

But almost half of Kirklees households pay band A, which will be £754, an increase of £30.

The Labour plan will see more money pumped into social services, to save old people's homes from closure.

Controversial charges for the removal of bulky waste will be axed, after claims of a big increase in fly-tipping.

Huddersfield's library and art gallery will be saved from demolition, said Labour leaders.

The Lib-Dems had wanted a 5.9% tax rise, but were voted down by the other parties.

They will continue to occupy eight council Cabinet places, despite their defeat, with a Green filling the ninth.

The agreement to support Labour proposals averted the prospect of an all-night budget-setting meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.

But Clr Pinnock said she had grave doubts about some parts of the Labour spending plans.

She said: "The Liberal Democrats do not have a majority on the council.

"Given the Labour and Conservative amendments, it became clear to us that our proposals were unlikely to be supported by the whole council."

Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan said his party's proposals were aimed at making Kirklees cleaner, greener and safer.

Money will be set aside for more CCTV cameras and police community support officers.

Clr Khan said: "Two days ago, local people were facing a 5.9% council tax hike for more bureaucracy.

"I am delighted local people have been put first and that from April 1 they will get bags more service for their money."

Tories put forward a plan for a 3.9% rise.

Their leader, Clr Robert Light, accused the Lib-Dems of running out of ideas.

He added that bureaucracy had "spiralled out of control".

Green Party leader Clr Andrew Cooper called for a 6% increase.

People in the Holme Valley, Kirkburton, Denby Dale, Meltham and Mirfield will pay slightly more in tax, because of their parish councils' precepts.

The Lib-Dems hold 30 of the council seats, Labour 21, Tories 16 and Greens three. There is also one Liberal and one British National Party councillor.