Labour councillors have accused their Conservative rivals of refusing to debate plans to cut lollipop men and women in Lichfield and Burntwood.
Discussions were cut short at a meeting of Staffordshire County Council on Thursday (13th December).
It came after Labour had tabled a motion on the plans, which are being considered as part of a bid to fill a funding shortfall. But a so-called ‘wrecking amendment’ was made to prevent a full debate.
Councillor Sue Woodward, leader of the opposition Labour group at the county council, said: “The Conservatives have no defence for their planned cuts to school crossing patrols.
“So instead they shut down discussion in the worst undemocratic way.
“As representatives of our communities, it is our duty to raise our constituents’ concerns. But we were stopped from doing so.
“If the Conservatives really wanted to take on board public concern, they would have discussed a way forward with the Labour group before the council meeting rather than tabling a wrecking amendment just as the debate started.”
A petition was submitted with more than 2,500 names on it, taking the total to 5,000, and Cllr Woodward believes the voices of residents should be heard.
“The Conservatives said that they are listening,” she said. “They were unwilling to listen to any debate at the meeting, but I can only hope they will.”
