THE leader of Hyndburn Council has axed question time in a bid to give more people a chance to speak on local issues.

Coun Ian Ormerod said the move was part of a streamlining programme and stressed he was still available for any elected members to ask questions.

But the Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of the Tory opposition, said the Labour party under Coun Ormerod's leadership, had used emergency powers to alter the council's constitution and claimed he had been kept in the dark.

The question time session, introduced as part of the cabinet style local government, provided 15 minutes at six full council meetings a year when councillors could quiz the leader on any matters relating to the council.

"I have pencilled in dates when I and my cabinet colleagues will be going out to meet people," Coun Ormerod said. "We will be going to all out of town districts, meeting people and answering questions. An elected member can question me at any time.

"I didn't think question time performed any function other than to give Coun Britcliffe a platform to spout, and I'm interested in running the council for the betterment of the people of Hyndburn."

But Coun Britcliffe said: "I disapproved, so did the Mayor, but it's gone through. They haven't even had the courtesy to put it before the council. That's not democratic".

"The Labour group seems to be treating everyone with contempt. They are supposed to send me copies of emergency powers but they have been in power for five or six weeks and I have only had one copy. I told him I thought it was disgusting a man on £15,000 a year was not going to be accountable.

"It's an insult to all the councillors and the public that the leader of the council is gerrymandering with the rules." Recalling the words of Margaret Thatcher he added: "Perhaps he dare not face questions. Perhaps he's frightened."

Mayor of Hyndburn Coun Sandra Hayes said it was a step backward. "When council leaders are getting salaries like they are now it's only right that people should be able to question them.

"I think it's a bad move. Leaders shouldn't be scared. They should let people ask questions. The time and place is full council.

Council manager Mike Chambers said: "This is a development stage and the form of the meetings will evolve over time but people should expect change.

"There is still an opportunity to challenge the minutes of the cabinet meeting and there will still be the opportunity to debate the issue because the decision will have to be reported to the council."