CABINET-style government has been launched in York - with a scathing attack on the city's bus services.

Council leader Rod Hills branded operators First York a "disgrace" in the first controversial issue to be dealt with by the new Executive.

His outburst won Liberal Democrat support as the first Shadow Executive meeting in the history of the council was held.

The Executive, made up of eight members of the Labour group which will replace committees as City of York Council's decision-making body, meets on Friday.

The Shadow Executive, which comprises eight Liberal Democrats, met yesterday to discuss issues on the Executive's agenda and make comments to the governing group, or "call in" items for further debate.

Buses are on the agenda after service changes in Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton, made in May.

The changes meant buses did not turn up at usual times, services to Skelton did not enter the village, forcing passengers to cross the A19, and Clifton Green became less accessible to Rawcliffe and Clifton residents.

Speaking after the publication of the agenda for Friday's meeting, Coun Hills said: "The first users knew was when their buses did not turn up, and then the company had the nerve to blame traffic congestion.

"This has got to stop. Residents want and need a reliable bus service.

"The company keeps making promises, but all that happens is that the bus service gets worse. I want to see action." The Executive is calling on the company to show how they will improve services.

Coun Ann Reid, the Liberal Democrat's Shadow Executive member for planning and transport, said: "Changes are implemented without consultation or apparent regard to the needs of the travelling public."

She said she doubted First York's ability to run the service, and asked the Executive to start negotiations with other operators.

Managing director of First York Brian Asquith said: "It is fairly ironic that the council is criticising us because the changes are their doing."

He said service changes were down to the loss of a tender for the service between York and Easingwold, awarded by North Yorkshire County Council, and a cut in City of York Council funding from £44,000 to £15,000 for the number 19 service, which covers the area.

He said: "We knew that this was happening, and City of York Council was kept informed every step of the way. For Rod Hills to complain about changes in the service now is ludicrous."

He said passengers were informed of changes by leaflets handed out on buses and route changes were published in the council's Citizen newspaper.

Meanwhile the opposition cabinet also objected to Executive plans to apply for Beacon Status for educational services.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said: "A fuller understanding of the costs and benefits of the housing repairs exercise is something we would like to have before going ahead with this."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk