CHANGES to the council's constitution are being tipped to save taxpayers money by minimising 'wasted time' at Town Hall meetings.

Just ahead of May's General Election councillors debated a string of issues, including changes to how the police would operate in the town, but some were criticised for 'politicising' issues.

But Conservative leader Paul Kennedy, who is on the constitutional sub-committee, which looks at how the council is run, has welcomed a move tipped to ensure motions are thrashed out without needless delays.

Questions are now to be asked in rotation, starting with the opposition parties present in the council chamber, in an attempt to improve the process and make it fairer.

"Full council meetings are at their best when we discuss matters and make decisions in the best interests for residents rather than on political lines," said Cllr Kennedy.

"Politicising issues can waste money as it could make meetings go on for a long time and it adds costs as council officers attend, which costs money."

Liberal Democrat leader Bob Barr is also calling for each party to focus solely on the interests of residents, rather than making the discussions about political interests.

"The council wasted much time in full council meetings prior to May's General Election by considering motions put by the Labour group denouncing various aspects of the coalition Government's policy, over which the council had no control or jurisdiction," he said.

"The Liberal Democrat group very much hopes that such antics will cease during this council year as such motions were futile and clearly failed to move the Warrington electorate.

"We believe that council time should be used debating issues about the future of Warrington that the council can affect through its own actions.

"Such debates can achieve consensus and directly affect council policy, which is an appropriate use of the council as a forum for discussion and providing direction for the town.

"We will not place ourselves in a position where we appear to support the Conservative Government's policies that adversely affect Warrington and ones the Liberal Democrats disagree with."

Council leader Terry O'Neill said he did not think the debate over the police changes before the General Election was extremely 'political'.

He feels any disagreements among councillors at meetings will 'die down' if the Government focuses on what is in the best interests of the town.