THE new-look Bolton Council has finally been sorted out leaving the Lib Dems fuming in the poliitical wilderness.

Labour and Tories divided the key committee chairs between them resulting in Lib Dem Cllr David Wilkinson launching a ferocious attack on the major parties, accusing them of doing a "dirty deal to get jobs for the boys."

Cllr Wilkinson said the Tories had the chance, during all the negotiations, to rid the town of 23 years of Labour rule but had "ducked out."

Councillors from all three parties in Bolton have been wrangling over political power since the local elections on May1 left a hung council.

Labour, which had ruled Bolton uninterrupted for the last 23 years, lost four seats, two each to the Tories and Lib Dems, forfeiting overall control.

But despite that, Labour used its superior numbers to make sure it held on to all the powerful executive cabinet positions.

After prolonged discussions between the political leaders, and the rank and file, Labour took all 10 cabinet positions. The Tories will hold the five Scrutiny chairs as well as the chair of Licensing. The Lib Dems have nothing.

Labour and the Tories were accused of a carve-up by the Lib Dems, who challenged the Tories to make public what principles they had in place as they entered negotiations with Labour. Starved of power, the Lib Dems have created its own 'Awkward Squad' by calling for votes on various amendments.

Cllr Wilkinson said. "How will the Tories vote in the budget debate? Will they stick to principles then, or will another cosy deal be done?"

Lib Dem councillor Roger Heyes also attacked the new set-up and accused the two main parties of a carve-up. He criticised the fact that tables showing the new council structure had arrived on desks at the last minute.

Both these accusations drew an angry response from Labour councillor David White, who argued that there had been at least six meetings to decide the shape of the new council.

He claimed the Lib Dems had been kept informed at every stage and accused them of being "totally without integrity".

He added: "The Lib Dems could have had more power in Scrutiny but bottled out when they had the chance to participate. It's a bit rich for Cllr Heyes to talk about principles now."

Council leader Bob Howarth said that following the negotiations the structure now in place was "the best spread you can get." Tory councillor Alan Wilkinson said: "This year's wine will taste foul with the amount of sour grapes in this chamber tonight."

An amendment by LibDem councillor Barbara Ronson that there should be greater public consultation on budgetary matters through agencies such as the Area Forums was defeated.

Tory councillor John Walsh argued that a very complex process would be made even more costly and time-consuming by the amendment.