A POLITICAL row has erupted over the controversial residents' parking permit scheme in Ellesmere Port.

Conservative councillors Ian Ormerod, chairman of the residents' action group, and Jonathan Starkey have been criticised by the ruling Labour group, which has questioned their motives for supporting homeowners.

Labour also claim the two Tories did not make any objections to the scheme, failed to attend any of the 15 committee meetings when the issue was discussed and that there was all-party support for the issue during this period.

But Cllr Starkey, who was elected by the residents to put their views forward at last week's formal public consultation meeting, hit back at the claims.

He said that even if they had been involved in the meetings at an earlier stage they would still have had to report a prejudicial interest.

He also rubbished the claim of all-party support for the initiative saying the Tories had always been critical of the scheme and had pushed for public consultation throughout.

Cllr John Wilson, deputy press officer for the Labour group, said: 'I know Cllr Ormerod has strong feelings on the matter, so I was interested to see why his views were being ignored at previous committee meetings.

'I decided to look through the previous minutes of the many committee meetings when the subject had been discussed.

'Imagine my surprise when I saw that not only had he not raised any objections previously he hadn't even been to any of the meetings.

'Cllr Starkey is little better. He has only attended one of the 15 committee meetings and when he did the minutes did not record any objections or concerns being raised by him.

'Indeed, the minutes show all-party support, including from the Conservatives, at all meetings where resident parking has been discussed.

'Their recent objections are based on opportunism and not any genuine concern.'

Cllr Starkey replied: 'If the deputy press officer had properly researched the facts he would have correctly reported that even if Cllr Ormerod and myself had been involved at an earlier stage, we would still have had to report a prejudicial interest.

'Under the present rules of conduct for councillors, governed by the Standards Board for England, neither Cllr Ormerod or myself would have been able to attend or vote at any of the meetings mentioned where the subject was raised.

'I, nor any of my colleagues in the Conservative group, are aware of any Conservative councillor who has uncritically supported the residents parking schemes.

'In fact, Cllr Gareth Anderson, deputy leader of the Conservative group, who is a member of both environment and local joint highways committees, has stated quite clearly that we have always been critical of these schemes and have consistently called for public consultation.'