LABOUR members on Southend Council are refusing to take part in cross-party talks about deep cuts to local services.

Tory leader Nigel Holdcroft has invited councillors of all political persuasions to look at ways of cutting spending, ahead of January, when the following year’s budget will be set.

Government departments are expecting to have to cut spending by as much as 40 per cent, leaving councils facing the prospect of making similar reductions.

Labour group leader David Norman has written to chief executive Rob Tinlin declining Mr Holdcroft’s invitation to join the talks.

He explained: “Having been excluded from any involvement in decision-making here for the past ten years, we were dubious whether we would have any influence on the matter.

“We didn’t want to be seen as party to decisions to cut vital services, imposed on us by a Conservative-led Government with whose policies we disagree.

“We simply don’t believe such swingeing cuts are necessary.

“They should be at a lower level and over a longer time.

“Instead, we will carry on our traditional role of opposition.”

Mr Holdcroft dismissed the decision as “pathetic”.

He said: “We hear regular complaints from members of Mr Norman’s group and others that the budget process is done behind closed doors and they are not given the opportunity to participate.

“For the Labour group to fail to attend is a failure to comply with their obligations as elected members.”

Lib Dem leader Graham Longley said he was “disappointed” Labour would not be involved.

He added: “I’m fairly certain we will attend the first sessions about precisely how the groups will operate, though it looks as though we won’t have any figures yet”