Cllr Richard John, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “I’m disappointed that the council is continuing to use megaphone diplomacy and threatening the trustees of Bridges publicly rather than getting round the table and negotiating a new lease which works for users of Bridges and taxpayers.

“What the Council is proposing effectively gives them carte blanche to increase rent for Bridges every three years, denying the trustees the ability to plan for its long-term future and bid for grants.

“Bridges is an essential and much-loved community asset and the Council’s cabinet are being extremely irresponsible by putting that at risk. The trustees have accepted they are in a position to pay an increased rent but it needs to be at an appropriate level with long-term security.