Bradford Council has announced plans to open a prayer room for use by City Hall staff.

But the plans have caused a row because Conservative members believe it could be a waste of public money.

Plans for the room at Britannia House - which would be open to all faiths - are being examined by officers who would then take a report to councillors.

It follows the introduction of a 'stressbuster' plan for Council workers after an independent survey by Sheffield University indicated that more than 40 per cent of the 23,000 staff were suffering from stress. The staff will be offered a programme including counselling, advice on relaxation and healthy lifestyles and deciding with management what work they should do.

Conservative leader Coun Margaret Eaton said: "What with visits to the smoking room, prayer room, stress counsellor and physiotherapist, I sometimes wonder how Council staff find the time to do the jobs for which they are actually paid.

"I do not think it is right that the Council should use taxpayers' money to set up some kind of meditation centre. There is also very real concern that the so-called prayer room could be open to abuse.''

The Labour group's acting chief whip, Diane Fairfax, said officers were looking at the possibility of a prayer room after requests from staff and shop steward visiting groups.

She said the cost of refurbishing the room was expected to be about £3,000 and it would be open to all denominations. She said the council would make sure it was not abused.

Past General Secretary of Bradford Council for Mosques Faquir Mohammed welcomed the plan as a big step forward.

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