Labour councillors last night voted AGAINST a succcessful Conservative proposal to stop pay and display being introduced in Burscough.
Labour also tried to block a Conservative amendment which saved the Borough Council's popular Community Chest from being axed, as well as voting against increasing frontline enforcement on dog fouling and litter.
And Labour also voted against plans to hand power down to community groups to take over the running of Ormskirk Civic Hall, Ashurst Meeting Room, and community centres in Old Skelmersdale, Birch Green, Tanhouse and Digmoor.
However, all the above were passed thanks to the Conservative Group on West Lancashire Borough Council. The proposals formed part of the Council's Major Service Review, which was debated at Full Council last night.
Cllr David Westley, Conservative Group finance spokesman, said: "I am surprised Labour objected to us not following officer recommendations to introduce pay and display in Burscough. It was also revealing that they wanted to axe the Community Chest Fund, which assists local voluntary and community groups with small capital grants.
"We now know which areas they would hit if they won control of the council.
"Throughout the debate, Labour did not produce one constructive comment or proposal. They were devoid of how to bridge the £1.2m shortfall, there were no budget proposals from them last year, no ideas for next year and no ideas whatsoever. This demonstrates why they are unfit to run West Lancashire."
Speaking about the fact that pay and display will now not be introduced in Burscough thanks to the Conservative amendment, local Conservative Cllr Ruth Melling said: "I am pleased my Conservative colleagues listened to the concerns of local residents and businesses.
"Given that Labour refused to support our amendment to take out car parking charges in Burscough, many will be left wondering whether Burscough would be first on their hit list if Labour ever won control of the council."
During the debate on the full range of Major Service Review proposals, Cllr David Sudworth, Conservative Group spokesman for leisure, slammed Labour for their hypocrisy.
He pointed out that Labour now oppose handing power to community groups through transfer of local community centres, even though they did exactly the same when they were in control of the council.
Cllr Sudworth said: "Labour are so busy rewriting history they appear to have completely forgotten that they carried out the same proposals with a number of community meeting rooms back in 2001. They claimed at the time it was 'a wonderful opportunity' for community groups but have now appear to have done a 360 degree u-turn.
"This wasn't principled opposition from Labour, it was blatant oppportunism which has backfired on them.
"This Conservative council will now work with interested parties and give them the opportunity delivering real improvements for local communities."
The above proposals will now go out to public consultation, the results of which will be reported to Full Council later this year.