Council tax could rise by double figures in the future if Worthing and Adur don't work more closely together.

The warning was issued by Worthing borough councillor John Rogers at a joint meeting of both authorities last night.

But the plans were condemned by a minority of councillors who feared that residents had not been properly consulted on some issues.

The leaders of both councils claimed they could save £500,000 a year by joining forces, with one set of senior officers rather than two running services.

Councillors voted in favour of exploring the issue further, but coun Bob Smytherman, leader of the Lib Dem opposition at Worthing, vowed to hold a referendum if his party gained power at the May local elections.

Adur coun Liza McKinney questioned how much the closer links would cost in the long run, and feared many councillors would no longer have a say if Adur followed in Worthing's footsteps and introduced a cabinet rather than a committee-style of local government.

But fellow Adur councillor Robert Dunn said the cabinet system worked very well, with faster decision-making.

Coun Rogers said that if the councils didn't work more closely together, "Council tax reaching double figures might be the alternative."

After the meeting, coun Keith Mercer, leader of Worthing, said councils needed to change with the times.

The Government was cracking down on funding and services would suffer if spending wasn't reduced, he said.

Coun Mercer said it wasn't a merger, but partnership working.

Ian Lowrie, chief executive of both councils, said that Worthing and Adur would still retain their own cabinets, elections and budgets.