BOLTON’s ruling Labour group has been accused of “trying to limit debate” by introducing changes to the way the council operates.

At the latest meeting of the council, changes were brought in which affect how certain meetings of the authority operate.

One change means that only opposition parties with enough elected councillors to make-up 10 per cent of the authority can sit at executive member meetings — where key policies are signed off.

Prior to this, the Liberal Democrats were allowed a presence at such meetings — and UKIP feels it should now be involved as well, having raised its number of councillors to five at last month’s elections.

Significant changes have also been brought in concerning the meetings of the full council.

Whereas previously meetings have gone on long in to the night, a new “guillotine” has been brought in meaning meetings must finish by 10.30pm, unless the mayor states otherwise.

Councillors reading out motions have also had their allotted time to speak halved, from 10 minutes to five minutes and councillors must submit any questions they wish to ask the leader of the council two days before the meeting — which is a day earlier than previously.

It is the lack of presence at the exec member meetings that has rankled most with Bolton’s two minor opposition parties.

Lib Dem leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: “I think it is basically trying to limit debate.

“This will limit the ability for others to question members of the executive cabinet and ensure that the controlling group have control over what is happening.”

UKIP leader, Cllr Sean Hornby added: “Since I have been UKIP leader I have argued that we should be at those meetings and when you look at the number of people in Bolton who voted for us, I really think we should have a presence — I think this will lead to a lot less transparency.”

He added: "I'm also really not happy about the 10.30pm deadline for full council meetings, that is one of the times when councillors can hold the leader to account and it should not be limited."

A council spokesman said: “We operate a democratic system and our reports and decisions are published online for all to view.

“In the interest of transparency and openness, we will also be live streaming full council meetings and certain other committee meetings in the near future.

“The principle has always been in place in the constitution in relation to attendance at Executive Cabinet Member meetings.

“The majority opposition group will still be attending all Executive Cabinet Member meetings. Scrutiny arrangements haven’t changed and all of the parties are still represented on scrutiny committees.”