Council’s vision for borough

Councillors argued for more than two hours at the annual policy council meeting, where the administration outlined its new set of priorities. They will be used to draw up the budget next year.

Conservative leader Colin Rigby announced the council's new objectives would be improving public health and well-being, improving neighbourhoods and tackling worklessness.

Opposition councillors branded the coalition's agenda "woolly", and said it did not include enough detail.

They said it should have referred to specific issues like housing and crime.

Labour leader Kate Hollern said: "You can have a vision, but it's got to have some backbone."

And Coun Dave Hollings added: "The jargon comes thick and fast. These are just phrases - and there's nothing behind them."

Coun Rigby said the council had to tackle deprivation, poor health and unemployment.

"That is why we have developed three objectives to tackle these major issues," he said.

Developing our vision is not just about creating a woolly statement.

"Our objectives are backed up with action plans that will deliver real benefits or outcomes for every man, woman and child in our borough."

Labour also announced its own alternative objectives at the meeting.

It was divided into seven categories, including making the borough a safer place and helping young people achieve more.

The council's ruling coalition then attacked Labour's version, which some councillors said was the same as their own.

Liberal Democrat leader David Foster said: "After what they said, I was expecting a weighty document.

"If you are criticising ours there's a touch of hypocrisy."

And Coun Paul Browne added: "You're saying exactly what you said 20-odd years ago.

"You've been singing off the same hymn sheet since you came into control."

The next stage in the budget-setting process will come with the announcement of the size of the council's grant from central government, early next month.