A ROW has broken out at City of York Council over child-care arrangements.

Chief executive Kersten England emailed party leaders suggesting the council foot the bill for child-care cover, to enable councillors to attend evening meetings.

She said a councillor was struggling to find child-care at night at the existing rate offered by the council.

But Conservative leader Ian Gillies objected to the move in an email seen by The Press, and has been criticised.

Coun Keith Aspden, group secretary for the Liberal Democrats, said: “Everyone should have the chance to become a councillor and represent their local area. “This includes people with young families. We believe measures such as supporting legitimate child-care costs are important in ensuring no one feels they would not be able to serve their community on the council.

“I would have thought that even the Conservative group would agree that no councillor should ever be embarrassed to ask for support if they genuinely need it to fulfil their duty as a local representative.”

Coun Gillies and council leader James Alexander declined to comment.