Rival politicians were today told to stop bickering and start talking as Bradford Council gets to grips with a financial crisis.

Labour leader Ian Greenwood - who rejected key jobs for his group on the hung council - said the Tories were "swanning around" and failing to involve his group in business.

But the Tories and Liberal-Democrats said the comments were "farcical".

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said Coun Greenwood had been in Russia for three weeks and she had dealt fully with his deputy, Barry Thorne, on the financial problems, with the council needing to find millions in savings.

She said Coun Greenwood had been the person who originally did not want to be involved but would be "welcomed back to the fold" if he wanted to take part in the deliberations.

But Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said he had serious concerns that the situation was worsening at the wrong time, with Tory and Labour not on speaking terms.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "There is a failure to get to grips in terms of a hung council. People are suspicious of each other and they don't want to give things away. My impression is that there has been a lack of dialogue between the groups, but if they all give way to petty party politics it isn't going to help the situation.

"The financial situation is getting out of control while councillors aren't talking. Things must be sorted out."

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Councillor Jeanette Sunderland pointed out that Labour had been offered power-sharing when the council became hung in May, and turned it down.

She said extensive talks were going on between officers and all three main parties about the financial problems.

lThe Council decided last night to instruct directorates to draw up plans to cut £4.7 million from their budgets this year and £11.8 million next year. They have been told front-line services must be protected.

Coun Eaton said the former controlling Labour group did not allow for millions of pounds extra being placed into education. The school review had also cost more than anticipated and £2.8 million was taken from the council's reserves when Labour was in control to keep the council tax down.

At the meeting Coun Eaton said: "How we have got to this financial situation is in the past. It is time for members to act collectively to find a solution. Find them we must - and sooner than later. We can't continue to do as we are now with fewer resources."

But Coun Greenwood said his group had left the authority in a sound financial situation and a three-year strategy which required constant action to be taken.

lThe council passed a resolution instructing the Chief Executive to undertake a full investigation into allegations on the Internet about irregularities in the Newlands Single Regeneration Partnership.

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