Richard Mosson
Cllr Richard Mosson
Cllr Richard Mosson

The leader of Burntwood Town Council has insisted a decision to postpone plans to take control of local parks was not down to opposition pressure.

Councillors were expecting to decide on the plan to take on the area’s green spaces earlier this week.

But a late move saw the decision deferred for a year.

Cllr Richard Mosson, leader of the controlling Conservative group, said the move was necessary.

“The deferral of the parks and open spaces decision was not down to pressure from the opposition Labour group,” he said.

“It was an 11th hour decision which we made as a controlling group and was based on a common sense approach.”

The proposal would have seen the town council take on the responsibility for parks from Lichfield District Council.

But the postponement was criticised by Labour’s Cllr Sue Woodward.

“I am surprised at the last minute change of heart,” she said. “Particularly as this has been discussed at a number of committees prior to the decision being made.

“Cllr Mosson’s 11th hour 59 minutes decision is treating members of these committees with contempt.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.