The Labour group looks set to be frozen out of the control of Bradford Council again after it was attacked by the Liberal-Democrats.

In a stinging rebuke, Lib-Dem leader Jeanette Sunderland accused Labour of refusing to take part "in any meaningful way" in the running of Britain's fourth biggest metropolitan authority for the past year.

The criticism comes five days after a tense local election which left no overall control of the Council, with the Labour and Tory groups holding 36 seats each.

The Lib-Dems gained two - giving it 14 seats - and the balance of power, depending which group it sides with.

For the past three years the group has supported Tory group leader Margaret Eaton as Council leader although the group has insisted it is not part of a coalition and it will continue to vote on its own principles. Coun Sunderland has sent statements to the Labour and Tory groups and three Green Party councillors setting out her aims and wishes for the coming year and asking for their response.

Attacking the Labour group, she said: "The electorate continues to reject the current Labour leadership. This is not surprising given its lack of new ideas or its failure to contribute to the governance of a balanced Council. I still remain disappointed at its refusal to share portfolio responsibilities."

The criticism appears to make clear that unless Labour changes its stance over holding portfolios there is unlikely to be much in common between the groups.

In the letter Coun Sunderland adds that her group is willing to continue working with other political groups to bring about sustained achievement for the city if agreement can be reached on: support in keeping educational achievements at the top of the Council's agenda, including money for schools and for improving school buildings; an all-party executive, with all groups participating in an "open and consensual manner" in the way Lib-Dem education portfolio holder David Ward has managed it.

The Lib-Dems also want to ensure the city takes advantage of major building works expected in the near future.

The statement says: "We would like the Council to ensure that a minimum 75 per cent of local labour is achieved on construction projects. This is a figure achieved in the construction of Trafford Park, Manchester, and I see no reason why this cannot be done in Bradford."

Other aims include free entry to public sports facilities for under-16s, the free replacement of stolen wheelie bins, improving the removal of litter, fly tipping and graffiti and tackling poorly lit and unadopted streets.

Labour Group leader Coun Ian Greenwood accused the Lib-Dems of lacking long terms plans and long term commitment involving any other political group.

He said all initiatives adopted previously had come from Labour when it was in control.