A Cabinet meeting scheduled by the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been cancelled after the members agreed that there are no items of business to be considered.

The decision to cancel the meeting on Tuesday, October 5, comes despite there are key items like Ice Rink, Camrose and Anvil Trust requiring urgent attention from the council.

This is the second Cabinet meeting cancelled by the council since the May election.

Cllr Andrew McCormick, the leader of the Labour Group, criticised the decision and claimed that the real reason for cancellation is that it clashes with the Conservative Party Conference that week.

“I’m incredulous that the Cabinet has decided to cancel its October meeting with no business to consider,” Cllr McCormick said.

“We all know the real reason this meeting has been cancelled: it clashes with the Conservative Party Conference that week.

“Basingstoke is facing its deepest crisis in modern history. There are massive issues that need the Cabinet's urgent attention.

Cllr McCormick numbered out each problem that requires urgent attention from the council.

“Saving the Town Centre, tackling our crisis with fly-tipping, appalling low recycle rates and problems with bin collections, helping Basingstoke Town Community FC get back the Camrose, rebuilding the Ice Rink and Aquadrome, reversing its decision to cut the Anvil Trust grant, and putting in new charge points, other measures for the Climate Emergency - Basingstoke deserves better.”

The Labour leader also questioned if the Cabinet would have cancelled the meeting before the election.

“I wonder if they would have cancelled any before the election or if they had a smaller majority?

“Cabinet members get paid three times as much as normal councillors. Given how things are being let to slide in Basingstoke, I'm sure there are residents out there who will question whether they are worth the money.”