Council 'in intensive care' after previous leadership

Council leader Jeremy Hilton (left) came into power following the local elections in May

Two decades of Conservative rule left a council in "intensive care with services cut to the bone", its new leader says.

The Liberal Democrats, now leading Gloucester City Council, shared a list of what it said were the former administration's 10 biggest failures.

The list included the uncertainty over the future of Gloucestershire Airport and the collapse of The Club at Tuffley, which cost the council £170,000.

But Tory deputy group leader, Andy Lewis, said Gloucester's food dock, The Forum, and new transport hub were some of the party's key successes while in power.

As part of the Liberal Democrats' list, the party said the Tall Ships Festival had cost taxpayers £100k more than was budgeted for this year, due to lack of income from ticket sales and sponsorship, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Council leader Jeremy Hilton added: "The Conservatives have systematically dismantled the financial foundation of the city council leaving us struggling to provide even the most basic services.

“Our residents deserve better, and we shall be pressing the new Labour government to do more to support hard pressed district councils like Gloucester.”

'Omitted achievements'

But the Conservatives said the Lib Dems were making excuses to avoid fulfilling promises they made to voters in Gloucester.

Mr Lewis said Mr Hilton had "omitted to include many of the achievements" of the Tories during their time running the council.

"The transformation of Gloucester city centre over the period of Conservative administration has been phenomenal with the Quays, The Docks, The Food Dock, investment in Westgate Street, The Transport Hub and The Forum," he added.