PLANS for a 5.9% council tax rise could go ahead by default after Conservative councillors vowed not to take part in the debate.

A bid to bridge a £26 million funding gap with the rise was discussed at Brighton and Hove City Council’s policy and resources committee last night.

The unprecedented rise was noted and voted through to be discussed at a full council meeting.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Tories on the council, said that after three years of the party questioning the cost of the authorities’ services it was “only now being talked about”.

He said: “We on this side of the chamber have had enough – we will not be taking any further part in this debate.”

Green councillor Ollie Sykes, deputy chairman of the policy and resources committee, said residents should vote on a 5.9% council tax rise in a referendum.

Labour and Co-operative leader councillor Warren Morgan, who has previously said there should be a 2% rise, said: “We don’t support an increase in council tax well in excess of inflation, neither do we support a referendum.

“For these reasons alone we are not prepared to support a 5.9% increase.”

An amendment to increase the amount paid by council tax benefit claimants from 8.5% of their full council tax bill was voted down but the unamended council tax reduction report was carried through to full council.

Jason Kitcat, leader of the council and chairman of the committee, said: “Making the poorest in the city pay more is not right.”

The initial proposals in a potential budget for the 2015/2016 financial year also suggested slashing 300 public sector jobs to save money.

Green councillor Sue Shanks told the meeting: “It’s not a position we want to be in when we have to take money from essential services.

“We are cutting jobs here, which means we end up with less people earning less money and less people paying tax.

“We have been left in this position by the Government’s position.”

The full council will discuss the proposals at a future date.