THE leader of the town's Liberal Democrats suggested Labour has gone 'in coalition with the Tories' during a heated Town Hall debate.

The Liberal Democrat group accused the ruling Labour party of acting in an 'unconstitutional manner' over how it opted to fill places on committees of the council and outside bodies.

During the row at Monday's full council meeting, Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town's Liberal Democrats, vented his frustrations after Cllr Kath Buckley, the only Conservative on the council, was given five committee places.

Cllr Barr said: "According to the rules, a political group needs to have at least two members to be legally entitled to any committee places.

"After the Conservatives lost a seat to us at the recent by-election in Lymm, they are down to one councillor.

"Labour has decided to give up five of their committee places to the remaining Conservative so she can play a role on the council.

"We object strongly to the way the allocation of committee places has been done.

"A single member cannot be, and is not, a group.

"This is a party political point, I think the constitution has been meddled with.

"A sole member of a group should not be treated as a group leader.

"If the Labour group has decided to go in coalition with the Tories, I think you should have told us all."

But Cllr Peter Carey, secretary of the Labour group, told Cllr Barr he has 'got the whole facts wrong'.

He said: "I do have a sense of fairness, I do have a sense of decency.

"From my point view, to make my job simpler, I asked officers can you ask Kath Buckley what committees she would like to sit on.

"If she comes forward with a reasonable list, we have no problem accepting that.

"There is no attempt to change to constitution, as it is not necessary.

"We are doing this as a favour to recognise a fellow councillor is in a difficult position."

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill said he was 'disappointed' with the Liberal Democrats.

He added: "It is nothing to do with you, it is nothing at all to do with the Liberal group.

"We gave Kath couple of other places – that is us wanting us to involve all councillors on this council.

"She is elected by the people of Lymm, she is elected as a Conservative councillor.

"I honestly do have a problem with you Liberal Democrats.

"We are just giving someone, who has been elected, an opportunity to represent."

Members were asked to vote on the committees of the council after the authority's legal team confirmed it was not 'unlawful' to proceed.

The proposed committees of the council, as well as proposed appointments to outside bodies, were both carried after votes.