THE gulf that has opened up between the controlling Labour group on Warrington Borough Council and the Town Hall unions  widened further after scrutiny bosses refused to accept a "call-in" of the controversial decision to hand over leisure, library and cultural services to new not-for-profit organisations.
Labour members of the Economy and Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee decided the call-in was not valid - clearing the way for the decision to be implemented.
The decision outraged officials of the UNISON and GMB unions, who claim they were not consulted about the proposals.
In a joint statement, issued after the committee's meeting, the two unions said: "We watched in amazement as Labour councillors John Kerr-Brown, Faisal Rashid, Tony Higgins, Geoff Settle and Dan Price all voted unanimously not to question management on allegations that they failed to consult with the Trade Unions to outsource over 500 staff in to a not for profit charitable organisation.
"It would appear the only consideration Labour committee councillors have is to prioritise their position and to this end they are comfortable with no resistance to instructions from the executive even when the consequences for Warrington will potentially be catastrophic."
UNISON joint secretary Jason Horan appeared before the committee as a witness for Liberal Democrat Cllr Kevin Reynolds (left), who had called-in the controversial decision.
Mr Horan told the committee management had failed to consult with the unions, despite promises to do so.
GMB secretary Bob Pinnock said it was clear the matter was "done and dusted" before the committee meeting even started.
Cllr Reynolds said he had hoped to produce two members of staff as witnesses, but they had both contacted him saying they were fearful of "reprisals and bullying" should they attend the meeting.
He said a report submitted to the executive on setting up not-for-profit organisations had been flawed. It gave three different figures for the number of full-time-equivalent employees who would be outsourced - 280, 220 and 202.  This meant the total number of individuals affected could be 500, 600 or 700.
Loyal and dedicated staff were worried because they had only heard of the proposals on the grapevine.
"The doors have been slammed shut on the Trade Unions, the staff and the residents of Warrington," he said.
Cllr Kate Hannon (right),  executive member for leisure, community and culture, said: "We were confident ahead of the scrutiny call-in that the executive board's decision to establish not for profit distributing organisations (NPDOs) or trusts for leisure and wellbeing and libraries and cultural services had been taken in accordance with all the proper principles of decision-making.
"We had ample evidence to share with the overview and scrutiny committee of the work that has been going on since 2009 under the previous administration to explore new ways of delivering leisure and cultural services in Warrington.
"This Labour administration had carefully examined the business case before making its recommendations to pursue the trust option. 
"I was quite prepared to refute the allegation that the service had failed to consult appropriately, and to do so backed up with hard facts and evidence. I am therefore pleased that the scrutiny committee members recognised the lack of substance to the opposition challenge and voted against hearing such a flimsy case.
"Now that the democratic process has affirmed our decision, my focus and that of the whole team working on this scheme will be to ensure a smooth and well-managed transition to the new arrangements. We have always committed to fully involve the staff and trade unions in discussion and consultation about the future shape of the business, at the right time and in the right way. Our priority is to work together to create affordable, high quality services that deliver what our customers want."