Campaigners fighting library closures as part of a £30 million package of cuts claim they are being denied their say on the proposals.

Bradford Council has been accused of “undermining democracy” by the Conservative-led opposition because it is strictly enforcing a rule in refusing to allow campaigners to put their arguments against the cuts directly to councillors.

Under the six-month rule, the proposed closures of libraries in Heaton, Wilsden, Wrose, Addingham and Denholme cannot be debated again at a meeting of the full council as they were discussed at a budget meeting last month.

Opposition leader Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said she was concerned the libraries would be closed before campaigners were given a chance to air objections as a result of the six- month rule being invoked.

She said: “There is a danger that the message from the public is not one that the Council is comfortable hearing, so they are closing their ears.

“I call on them to reverse this decision and let the people speak.

“In six months the closures could be a fait accompli.”

However, Council leader, Ian Greenwood said views would be considered in a consultation.

He said the Council’s solicitors, not the ruling groups, had decided to invoke the six-month rule.

And Coun Greenwood said he was “saddened” the opposition was making political capital over the decision to close the libraries following “extensive” discussions.

“We will engage with the residents concerned as openly and fully as possible before any future decisions are taken,” he said.

Liberal Democrat group leader Jeanette Sunderland said there was “no reason” why the objectors voices should not be heard.

She said: “The petitions will go in and councillors should be able to hear it.

“Then it will be referred to the executive, because they made the recommendations, and the executive will have to decide to stick by its decision.”

Campaigners fighting library closures as part of a £30 million package of cuts claim they are being denied their say on the proposals.

Bradford Council has been accused of “undermining democracy” by the Conservative-led opposition because it is strictly enforcing a rule in refusing to allow campaigners to put their arguments against the cuts directly to councillors.

Under the six-month rule, the proposed closures of libraries in Heaton, Wilsden, Wrose, Addingham and Denholme cannot be debated again at a meeting of the full council as they were discussed at a budget meeting last month.

Opposition leader Coun-cillor Anne Hawkesworth said she was concerned the libraries would be closed before campaigners were given a chance to air objections as a result of the six- month rule being invoked.

She said: “There is a danger that the message from the public is not one that the Council is comfortable hearing, so they are closing their ears.

“I call on them to reverse this decision and let the people speak.

“In six months the closures could be a fait accompli.”

However, Council leader, Ian Greenwood said views would be considered in a consultation.

He said the Council’s solicitors, not the ruling groups, had decided to invoke the six-month rule.

And Coun Greenwood said he was “saddened” the opposition was making political capital over the decision to close the libraries following “extensive” discussions.

“We will engage with the residents concerned as openly and fully as possible before any future decisions are taken,” he said.

Liberal Democrat group leader Jeanette Sunderland said there was “no reason” why the objectors voices should not be heard.

She said: “The petitions will go in and councillors should be able to hear it.

“Then it will be referred to the executive, because they made the recommendations, and the executive will have to decide to stick by its decision.”