LIBERAL Democrat leader Cllr Bob Barr believes the council constitution is being 'perverted' after Labour removed his party's members from outside bodies in favour of its own.

During the last council year, Labour, which now has 45 seats at the Town Hall, allowed the Liberal Democrats one place on the Cheshire Police and crime panel and continued the 'long-standing practice' of allowing them one place on the fire authority.

But following Town Hall approval on Monday, despite Liberal Democrat opposition, the new make-up of the external bodies has been confirmed.

Cllr Barr (LD – Lymm North and Thelwall) feels Labour has acted unfairly.

He said: "There is a difference between doing what you have a 'right' to do and doing the right thing.

"It is to Labour's credit, that in the past they chose to do the right thing.

"This year they are using their electoral muscle to exercise their 'rights' to pack external bodies with Labour members.

"We can expect a very different non-consensual approach from the new Labour administration which is not in the best interests of Warrington.

"This (current) electoral arithmetic cannot fairly be regarded as a situation where Labour has a 'right' to increase their representation on key external authorities at the cost of the Liberal Democrats.

"What is more serious is the situation regarding the newly elected police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire.

"A Warrington councillor has been elected for this position and this is to be welcomed.

"But one might have expected him to stand down as a councillor in order to ensure an even handed approach to overseeing policing in the area with no obvious conflict of interests.

"But no, David Keane, as late as the day after he was elected as the PCC, was still contemplating challenging for the Leadership of the Labour group on Warrington Borough Council (WBC).

"He reconsidered, and didn't do so, but intends to retain his council seat while carrying out the onerous duties of being a PCC.

"In those circumstances one would have thought that Warrington Labour would think it wise to retain a Liberal Democrat voice on the police and crime panel to whom the PCC reports to.

"Instead they have chosen to remove the sole Liberal Democrat voice and pack the panel with another Labour member, leaving the public in doubt as to whether the work of the PCC is going to be properly overseen.

"It is clear is that the constitution of WBC is being perverted in order to meet the internal needs and demands of a fractious Labour group.

"It remains to be seen if Labour's internal arguments continue through this council year.

"Internal party politics should not undermine the good governance of Warrington or the Cheshire Police and fire authorities.

"Warrington Labour's decision to remove Liberal Democrat representation from both of those committees is deeply unfair and undemocratic."

In the chamber on Monday council leader Terry O'Neill said he believes Labour has 'acted within its rights' and that it is the 'end of the matter'.

And a council spokesman confirmed no regulations have been breached.

He said: "In common with all local authorities, the council is required to apply a set of nationally determined rules when making appointments to outside bodies. Those rules have been fully applied."

Each member of the fire authority will receive a £4,078.30 basic allowance for 2016-17.

There is no allowance for crime panel members, only travel expenses can be claimed.