THE leader of the Labour group on Swindon Borough Council has hit back at claims from council leader David Renard that the introduction of parishes across the town is an exercise in democracy.

Writing in his Adver column last week, Coun Renard (Con – Haydon Wick), said that he wanted to explore giving local people more power over local services through parishing.

He added: “By securing a small amount of extra income from council tax payers through a precept, parishes could prioritise locally, deliver locally, and protect services for the future.”

However Labour have claimed that the plan is purely a ploy to escape financial difficulties that they argue are partly of the Conservatives' own making.

Responding to Coun Renard’s column, Labour leader, Coun Grant, said: “Since 2010 when the government’s cuts agenda started the Conservatives have been reducing the level of local services provided in Swindon.

“While services have been cut back, the Conservatives argued for no council-tax increases for five years and racked up huge levels of council borrowing, with council debt reaching £155m leading to the council spending £10m annually on debt management.

“Do not believe Coun Renard when he says the introduction of parish councils is anything other than a way to get Swindon Council out of a financial mess.”

Parishes were the subject of a heated debate at June’s meeting of the full council with Labour’s attempts to force a referendum on the changes ultimately proving unsuccessful.

Public engagement meetings are now being held to discuss the plans, with a firm proposal expected to be put before Cabinet in the first week of August.