LABOUR has been accused of 'reducing people's democratic opportunities' after the public's chance to ask a supplementary question at full council meetings was removed.

Campaigner Richard Buttrey was refused an additional question – linked to the authority's controversial investment into Redwood Bank – during Monday's Town Hall meeting.

Mr Buttrey believes the investment is of 'serious concern' and says the council is 'not offering any explanation' to his queries.

Following Monday's meeting, concerns have been raised from residents and politicians over the removal of the extra question.

Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall) said the Liberal Democrats will be looking to restore it 'at the earliest opportunity'.

He added: "It was probably removed as supplementary questions tended to be more speech-like, however, we see them as an important and rare opportunity for members of the public to raise their concerns to the council.

"This is, of course, the latest in a line of reducing people's democratic opportunities in Warrington – removing election by thirds, reduced time for councillors' questions, lack of plurality on appointments to outside bodies.

"Labour are using their majority to be an elective dictatorship.

"We will do everything we can to oppose that."

But the council's ruling Labour group has hit back after Cllr Bate's statement.

A spokesman said: "Amendments to the council's constitution are done on a cross-party basis.

"The Liberal Democrat party was represented at the April meeting of the council's constitutional sub-committee and proposal to do away with the convention for the public to ask supplementary questions was passed unanimously.

"Liberal Democrats then unanimously voted to accept the changes to the council's constitution at the full council meeting in May.

"The public will see through Cllr Bates' crocodile tears and will rightly conclude that he does not appear to read council papers and that the Liberal Democrat councillors, who have now twice voted for the amended constitution, are disunited and do not communicate with each other."

A council spokesman added: "The decision to amend the public questions section of the council meeting procedure, as part of the annual review and adoption of the constitution, was unanimously approved at the annual meeting of the council on May 21 2018."