Former teacher Margaret Eaton was expected to become Leader of Bradford Council for a fourth term today - propped up by the votes of the Liberal Democrats at the annual Council meeting.

But the political year has got off to a bitter start. Labour Group Leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said the Council's budget did not reflect his group's priorities.

He added: "We will hold the Tories and Liberal Democrats to account, as we hope the public will in the run-up to next year's elections when every councillor will have to stand again."

The Liberal Democrats and Tory Group agreed last night to support the Tory leadership. The programme for the year ahead will be slanted towards education, the environment and more police in outlying areas.

The Liberal Democrats also want free access to sport and leisure centres for the under-16s.

Councillor Eaton said she wanted to see better services for people across the district.

Liberal-Democrats leader Councillor Jeanette Sunder-land, said: "We have agreed a programme of work which we will work towards."

Both groups say they do not want unnecessary increases in Council Tax next year but want strong commitments to education with extra funding to be continued.

They agree there should be an all-party Executive, and want 75 per cent local labour in the major construction work due to take place across the district in Council house improvements and the proposed £200 million Broadway development. The £29 charge for the replacement of stolen wheelie bins is expected to be reconsidered and there could be action on poorly-lit streets and unadopted roads.

Coun Sunderland added that developers would be required to provide wheelie bins for new properties, following complaints that people had a six to eight-week wait and were being forced to buy the bins.

Green Party leader Councillor Martin Love said: "We will support what we can in the budget. The Tories and Liberal Democrats deny they are a coalition but we have noted they frequently vote together.

"The Greens are adamant that they will vote independently on all issues."

Labour will again refuse to take portfolios - where councillors take responsibility for services including education and social services.