PROTESTORS and Liberal Democrat members have failed to stop key tourism events being slashed from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s budget for 2005-2006.

The authority has agreed a 4.78 per cent increase in council tax. It means a rate of £78.93 being applied to Band D properties across the borough - an increase of some 7p a week.

To this must be added special expenses in some areas and precepts from Kent County Council and the police and fire authorities.

But changed priorities mean the Tory-led council is dropping several familiar events from the calendar to offset a £628,000 increase in spending on new projects and services.

Being axed are:

• The Scandals at the Spa, a five day Georgian festival held each summer

• The Sedan Chair Race, held every August Bank Holiday

• The Christmas Torchlight Procession

Funding for Tunbridge Wells’ Britain In Bloom entry is being cut by £15,000, effectively ending council involvement, and the residents’ passport scheme, giving discounts to visit local attractions, will cease.

Opening times for both the museum and the Tourist Information Office in The Pantiles are being reduced, and funding for bowling greens is being cut by £4,000.

Instead the council aims to introduce Green Flag awards for Tunbridge Wells’ parks and to back events planned to celebrate the town’s 400th anniversary next year.

Before the meeting angry traders from The Pantiles, the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells where many of the axed events take place, gathered with banners and placards in a last-ditch bid to save them.

A spokesman accused the council of reneging on promises to promote the area after it closed the A Day At The Wells tourist attraction there a year ago.

He said: "Last summer’s Georgian event was the most successful yet. Surely success should be allowed to breed?"

Cllr David Mills, Liberal Democrat group leader, said: " Undertakings were given that events in the Pantiles would be promoted and increased. Do commitments from this Cabinet mean anything at all?"

He claimed that seeking to fix one of the lowest council tax rates in both county and country in previous years, instead of making sensible increases, had now left the council in difficulty.

Cllr David Neve (Lib Dem) proposed an amendment to keep the annual events and maintain the council’s contribution to Britain In Bloom, but this was defeated 19-11, with five abstentions.

He also sought to have £150,000 taken from reserves to be used for highways improvements, but this was also rejected.

Cllr Len Horwood (Con), portfolio holder for finance, said: " We do not believe that large increases would be acceptable and therefore our spending and council tax proposals must remain affordable to residents.

"This requires some difficult decisions. This has been a year of transition and the budget being presented increases funding where priorities have been highlighted and reduces it in areas which have become less of a priority."

He said all council services were being reviewed and those not being funded this year would be considered against future priorities.