A spat has blown up between the Liberal Democrats and Labour groups on Bradford Council over whether the Council leadership should be put to a vote.

Lib Dem group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said it was “outrageous” that the issue was not on the agenda of the authority’s annual meeting on Tuesday, May 24, after the elections earlier this month produced a hung council.

But Council and Labour group leader Ian Greenwood said it would not be normal for a vote to be held before four years had elapsed since he took on the role.

Coun Sunderland insisted a vote should be held over the plans.

“It shows a degree of arrogance that is unwelcome from a leader who does not command a majority,” she said.

“He should at least seek a confirmatory vote to publicly show that he has enough support to pass policy and a budget through the Council.

“How else will the public know that he even has the tools to do the job?”

After the elections on May 5, Labour holds 44 of the 90 seats leaving it two seats short of an overall majority.

The Conservatives have 29 seats, Liberal Democrats 11, Greens three, British National Party two and there is one independent.

Councillor Glen Miller, leader of the Tory group, said: “The agenda is the responsibility of the officers with input from Councillor Greenwood as current leader of the Council.

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