Lib Dem concern over heavy-handed approach by Labour-led Council

2.55.53pm GMT Fri 21st Jan 2005

The minority Labour-Led Council Administration must listen more to local communities and get a people-centred agenda back on track, say Liberal Democrats. Matters came to a head at the January Council meeting where the Labour leadership lost a vote of confidence on a key plank of their party's policy platform.

For some time Liberal Democrat Councillors have been concerned at the cavalier attitude of the minority Labour Leadership on the City Council.

The Lib Dems are also angry that the Council has failed to develop positive relationships with key communities in the City.

In seconding the vote of confidence in the Labour leadership, which followed the resignation of two of their committee chairs over a row on the future of the council's housing stock, Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood said:

'The Labour leadership have got this issue so wrong, they have lost the confidence of this council and the city on what is a critical part of their political agenda. The leadership has been too heavy-handed in their approach and not acted in the interests of the city. When in the interests of the city we have supported them, this is not the case here and lessons must be learnt.'