The addition of two new pledges to the people of Swindon by the borough council drew criticism from the leader of the opposition Labour group at Euclid Street.

The revised set of promises in the council's plan has added: " Ensure that Swindon's vulnerable children and young people are safeguarded and protected" and "ensure that Swindon's vulnerable adults are safeguarded and protected".

Labour leader Coun Jim Grant was critical of adding two of the council's major legal duties as 'pledges',

He said: "Does this mean you haven't been doing it up till now? Why wasn't it in the original Vision? These two pledges take up about 80 per cent of your budget."

Coun Grant also said the first pledge was too vague and added: " It should say: 'no future Osted report is worse than good or outstanding.' That's a pledge. You'r'e just pledging to do your statutory duty."

Coun Grant got a frosty response from the Conservative councillors in the cabinet.

Deputy leader Coun Russell Holland said: "Suggesting we haven't been doing our statutory duty is just lowering the tone of debate. When Labour were in control here a Labour government took responsibility away form a Labour council."

Member with responsibility for adult care, Coun Brian Ford added: "My department is doing better than ever. It is the best in the West for rates of 'bed-blocking' .