West Lancs Labour Group have been accused of a 'dereliction of duty' and 'not being straight' with local people for failing to come up with alternative ideas to help bridge the Borough Council's budget gap.
Labour councillors voted against proposals in the Borough Council's Major Services Review but did not give specific details where else they would cut.
At Wednesday night's Full Council meeting, Labour councillors voted against:
- Increasing dog and litter patrols across West Lancashire
- Giving local voluntary groups the chance to take over the running of community facilities
- Improvements to car parks in Skelmersdale paid for by introducing a pay and display system
- Reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency acrosss the Council
Cllr David Sudworth, Group Spokesman for Leisure, said: "Labour opposed letting voluntary groups take over local community centres yet they closed Meeting Rooms when they were in control of the council. Labour also talked about community groups needing financial support yet they admitted they would completely axe the Council's Community Chest grant fund which provides that very assistance. Their blatant opportunism has been exposed for all to see."
Cllr David Westley, Conservative Group finance spokesman, said: "Once again, Labour opposed every measure to try to protect services but have not been straight with people about all the services they would cut. Their Leader came up with one idea on the hoof, to the visible surprise of other Labour councillors, which shows how much they are in disarray. "
Cllr Adrian Owens, Conservative Group Deputy Leader, said: "Labour were clueless about how to bridge the funding gap. As an Opposition who, I presume, aspire to run the Council they have failed to come up with alternative suggestions, which is a straightforward dereliction of duty on Labour's part."
Cllr Ian Grant, Conservative Group Leader, said: "As a Conservative Council, we have worked hard to steer the authority through tough times caused by Labour's debt. It is a shame Labour would rather play politics and grandstand than work constructively with us for the benefit of the whole of West Lancashire."