A report recommending that thousands of pounds extra should be given to Bradford Festival was described as an "insult to intelligence" by a leading councillor today.

Councillor Margaret Eaton, leader of the Tory group, said the report going to tomorrow's new Executive Committee gave no information about the organisation's finances and business plans.

She said: "It is so inadequate it is an insult to members' intelligence. There is no information about the business plan and how it is managed. I don't know how anyone could take a decision with this complete lack of information."

She hit out at the report as a row blew up over its small agenda and lack of business for the meeting.

Liberal Democrat executive member Councillor David Ward said he believed decisions were being taken by officers and Labour councillors behind closed doors, following radical changes to the authority's structure.

He said: "We are supposed to be the creme de la creme of councillors, but nothing is coming to us on these agendas."

The executive committee has only three items on its agenda for tomorrow's meeting - funding for the festival, change of use of a building, and a report on the Council's success in combating housing benefit fraud.

But Coun Eaton is demanding an update on the Council's bid to get more funds for the schools' reorganisation, after discovering a £47 million shortfall.

She added: "We should have full information in order to advise schools, as ward councillors, about the programme and how they may be affected."

The Council's head of recreation Jim Mackay will recommend a one-off payment of £26,000 to Bradford Festival to meet the health and safety costs of last year's events.

He recommends the executive committee to make payments of £48,000 this year and next year to cover the measures.

Mr Mackay also proposes payments of £30,000 a year towards agreed new projects for this and next year's festivals.

The funding proposals follow the festival organisers' announcement of a massive, six-week jamboree this year.

Mr Mackay says in his report to the Executive Committee that the extra funding will improve the quality, impact and profile of the events.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "Any councillor can ask for something to be put on the agenda.

"And there has not been a Labour Group meeting since the last executive, so decisions are not being taken in private."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.