Green party councillors claim changes to the board of a group which is creating a joint vision of York for the future could undermine confidence in its work.

Moves to install two Liberal Democrat councillors and one Labour councillor on the board of the Without Walls partnership have met with fierce opposition.

Green Party members said the lack of a voice for their party, which has two elected councillors, would prevent the body representing "key communities of interest" in York.

But the Liberal Democrats say the Greens only have two of the 47 elected councillors in York and cannot expect to be represented on every committee.

Green Party Fishergate councillor Andy D'Agorne said: "This decision reflects badly on the whole Without Walls process and could undermine confidence in the outcome as being a true reflection of the views of York people.

"We will continue to press for a more inclusive approach that allows questions about whether we should be seeking a particular development, not just how to minimise its impact on future sustainability."

But Lib Dem councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for environment and sustainability, said the Green Party could not be on every committee with just two councillors. He said: "I don't think the Green Party can go to every committee and say 'why aren't we on this?' They are only a small party. "No objections have been raised before. Three people have been selected and I am confident in them."

Updated: 15:08 Friday, June 20, 2003