West Berkshire council leader Jeff Brooks clashed with opposition group leader Ross Mackinnon after Mr Mackinnon was blocked from asking a question during a meeting on the council's performance report.
"Councillor Mackinnon submitted 16 questions that were all answered, so I struggle to understand what he is unhappy about," said Mr Brooks. "I asked him if he wanted to take his tabled questions during each corresponding item, but he said no, he would ask them at the end of the meeting when we take member questions - so that was how I managed the meeting."
The Conservatives said the refusal was serious because the role of leader of the opposition is formally recognised in the council's constitution, including a special responsibility allowance.
Mr Brooks said he had asked officers to use the council's three scrutiny committees rather than turning executive meetings into a scrutiny exercise, and defended his record: "I am very keen to take questions from opposition members on clarity and understanding of the decisions we are making - much keener than his last Conservative administration that ruthlessly allowed only one question from opposition members per item, including the opposition leader."
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
