A Conservative councillor has hit back at criticisms levelled at North West Leicestershire District Council's plans to reduce services in the Coalville area.

Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Wyatt reacted to the council's announcement by saying the cuts did not have to happen.

But now Cllr Elliott Allman says that the Lib Dems had the opportunity to be part of the decision making process - but chose to 'walk away'.

He says that the Lib Dems were originally part of the Coalville Specials sub-finance committee last year.

Cllr Allman said: "It's concerning to read about the Liberal Democrats' position on the alleged cuts coming in to the next financial year.

"As councillors for Coalville Specials, we have a set budget.

"It is up to us as elected members what we do with those funds.

"The Lib Dems have as much control and say over this matter as any other party.

"We have a set budget to work to but it is up to us to recommend how we spend.

"It needs to be pointed out that the Liberal Democrats were Invited and did join the sub-finance committee in 2022.

"This allowed for a more detailed level of scrutiny into Coalville Specials' accounts.

"It came as a surprise of mine when we learnt of the Liberal Democrats' immediate withdrawal from the group.

"Leaving the group tended by Conservatives and the Labour group.

"The Liberal Democrats had the opportunity to make a difference, to understand better the financial situation.

"But they washed their hands of it and walked away.

"Tough choices and responsibility were called upon for this group.

"I'd like to thank the finance team and everyone involved who actually managed to come up with a budget that stands up to the challenging times we face."

But Cllr Wyatt has responded to the criticisms.

He told Coalville Nub News: "It's quite laughable to think the Tories are criticising the Lib Dem members for not taking part in a working party to sought out the financial fiasco of the Tory administration.

"I was not prepared to waste my time or energy trying to sort out the Tories' mess.

"If they cannot sort out their budget then clearly they are no longer fit to run the council.

"Cllr Allman is either very politically naive or politically stupid if he seriously thinks the Lib Dems were going to help the Tories out of a financial mess when they have failed to deliver on their promises to help regenerate Coalville."