THERE were heated exchanges between councillors including accusations of electioneering at the penultimate meeting of the district council ahead of this May's elections.

Councillors clashed at the full meeting of Bromsgrove District Council held at the Council House last night, (January 19).

The cabinet's decision to introduce a trial for free evening parking on several car parks around the district was debated.

Councillors were in agreement that the trial should go ahead, from February, and were asked at the meeting to release £60,000 from balances to meet the shortfall.

Leader of the opposition Labour group, Councillor Luke Mallett, questioned why the car parking trial was only being introduced now as the trial was in the council's action plan in 2008.

"In the seven years since 2008 what on earth have we been waiting for?" Coun Mallett said.

"What we have got is a half-hearted U-turn - the last gesture of this arrogant dying council."

Labour councillor Chris Bloore said: "We have been calling for this for years.

"It is too little too late - people out there are not foolish."

In response, Conservative councillor Rod Laight called it a groundbreaking decision.

"We should celebrate the fact our authority has achieved something that is unheard of in recent times," he said.

Councillor Michael Webb, the authority's finance portfolio holder, said: "I was hoping this chamber would accept this with open arms.

"We have put this council into a good financial position to afford this."

A vote was taken and the recommendation was passed unanimously.

There were also heated exchanges over a new council tax support scheme.

When changes to the welfare benefits system was introduced two years ago, the authrity decided not to change its level of support - despite reduced funding from central Government.

Consultations were held about a change but the council received only 28 responses, one being from Bromsgrove District Housing Trust.

Councillors discussed the recommendation that the level of support be capped at 80 per cent, with a hardship fund supporting individuals.

Coun Mallett said: "Councillor Hollingworth, (the former leader) said 'this council will not hit the working poor'.

"I want to know what has changed.

"The working poor are no richer then they were two years ago."

Wythall Residents' Association councillor Sue Baxter - a member of the Independent Alliance - said ill-thought out Government legislation "had led them to this".

"Morally, I find it difficult to support. I feel we should be supporting our residents," she said.

But Conservative councillor Mark Bullivant said: "Only 27 people of 2,500 asked for an opinion bothered to reply.

"That shows this is electioneering, and this is a good policy."

Coun Webb added that he hoped it was electioneering, saying the council's finances would be a shambles if the opposition was ever in control.

A vote was taken and the recommendation was passed.