PLANS to develop a website for Chesham Town Council have been shelved in an attempt to curb rising council spending.

The council's finance committee was told on Monday that setting up the site would need an initial £3,000

Councillors rejected this and instead opted to spend a maximum of just £250 on improved computing facilities.

Cllr Pauline Wilkinson (Con) said the council was under pressure to provide money for a range of things and had to think long and hard about spending.

She said: "We are being asked for money for this and money for that. I think at this stage we cannot afford it."

Cllr Peter Yerrel (Residents Association) added: "This website could be a full-time job. Just keeping it up to date, will be a huge job."

A Government White Paper is encouraging local authorities to improve the delivery of services to the community through the development of a website.

The council had commissioned a report to put together a detailed plan on the cost and likely format for its own website.

The report said any such site would most probably be designed around the council's coat of arms and have a number of sections including an on-line diary of events, meeting minutes, agendas and general information about the town and local area.

The £250 earmarked will be used mostly to further the council's e-mail network.