THE council has been accused of restricting democratic debate as the borough solicitor ruled that parties' proposals are too "political" during the election period.

A Conservative motion calling on the council to scrap controversial housing plans was deemed to breach election rules.

Tory leader James Daly was told on Tuesday that his suggestion to scrap the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) would not be discussed at next week's council meeting.

The council solicitor said its content was too "political" and "sensitive" at this time, citing election rules about parties "promoting political agendas" through the local authority.

She also said the council could not legally support the motion because the statutory consultation period has just ended and the outcome is not yet known.

Now, the solicitor has ruled that all three motions submitted by political parties for the meeting on April 10 will be withdrawn.

Cllr Daly was disappointed with the decision and described the situation as a "very sad day" for local democracy.

He said: “We are now in the strange situation that at 5 pm yesterday the Labour and Liberal Democrat motions were published on the agenda for the next council meeting but now it would appear the council solicitor has asked for them to be withdrawn.

"Bury Council should never seek to restrict democratic debate or scrutiny of the executive in this fashion whether this is during purdah or at any other time. The whole process has now descended into farce and the residents of Bury are poorer for it.”

The decision to withdraw motions submitted by the ruling group and the Lib Dems was announced yesterday afternoon.

It means that motions on improvements to the bus service in the borough and changes to the Metrolink tram network will not be discussed.

Council leader Rishi Shori said: “I am disappointed that Bury Labour Group has been asked to withdraw its motion about improving bus services in the borough, which is a key area of concern for many residents.

"We do, however, respect the judgement of the council’s solicitor and the legal ruling that she has made.”

A Bury Council spokesman said: "The issues relating to the Conservative council motion involved two separate aspects. Firstly, that if supported by the council, the Conservative motion would be asking the authority to do something it could not legally do, namely to make a decision about a policy when a statutory consultation period has just ended and the outcome of the consultation responses is not yet known.

"Secondly, the motion would be in breach of guidance (provided by the Government) around promoting political agendas using council resources during the pre-election period. This usually begins at the end of March and continues until the date of the local elections.

"All three motions submitted by political parties for the council meeting on 10 April 2019 will now be withdrawn on my legal advice.

"On Monday 1 April 2019, the leaders of all three political groups agreed that, from now on, no council meeting will take place during April which will avoid clashing with the pre-election period and any similar issues arising in the future."