A LEADING councillor has been told to get his act together after submitting 18 questions late for a crucial meeting.

Labour leader Jamie Shaw faxed the questions 20 minutes past the deadline for last night's full meeting of Wyre Forest District Council.

He dubbed council chairman Gordon Hinton "harsh" for ruling the questions about issues such as leisure centres and car parking out of time. Mr Shaw claimed it was a bad day for democracy.

However, Mr Hinton, Health Concern, stuck to his guns stating the stalwart councillor knew the rules and was playing party politics.

He said: "Mr Shaw has been on the council far longer than I have and knows the rules.

"He is trying to make political gain out of something which is his own fault. Rules are there for a reason and if I want to submit a question, I get it in on time. I suggest he does the same."

Mr Hinton added although he ruled the questions inadmissible for the meeting they would be referred to the executive and if necessary back to a later council meeting.

He spoke after Mr Shaw said the decision was a good day for the "off-the-hook" council executive but a bad one for democracy.

The Labour leader said he faxed the questions on Monday morning at 9.20am, 20 minutes after the deadline, but said he had arranged to send the fax at 9am. He said: "These rules are in place to enable officers to have time to assist portfolio holders in answering questions.

"I believe the chairman's ruling to be an over-strict interpretation, especially considering the fact I had given notice of the subject matter the previous Friday, as requested by the chief executive, so that officers would have more time to carry out research."

He added: "Because of the chairman's ruling, fundamental issues about the nature and range of the council's services will not be brought to the public's attention and the executive will not be brought to account."

It is the latest spat between Mr Shaw, a former council leader, and the administration over questions at council meetings.

Last month the Labour leader told the administration to shape up after a host of questions went unanswered at the full council meeting.

But the ruling group protested it had been swamped by 62 questions before the meeting.