Former Lord Mayor of Oxford Maureen Christian is at loggerheads with Oxford City Council leader Corinna Redman over the closure of a sports centre.

The Liberal Democrat-Green administration is proposing to close Northway Sports Centre, Maltfield Road, Headington, as part of £6m budget cuts.

A gym based at the sports centre will have to close if the decision goes ahead.

The Oxford Women's Training Scheme, based at the centre, is also under threat because the council is planning to withdraw a £250,000 annual grant.

Cllr Christian, who represents the Marston ward, contacted committee clerk Roy Saunders to request that the matter should be discussed at tonight's executive board meeting.

On Friday, Cllr Christian said she received a call from Cllr Redman suggesting that it would be better if the discussion was delayed until an executive board meeting.

Cllr Christian insisted the matter should go before the first meeting today.

She said: "Corinna called me and asked if it would be all right if I asked a question at the following meeting.

"But I want to ask it straight away because the future of the centre is at stake and the sooner the issue is raised the better.

"Corinna suggested that I should have raised the matter before the north-east area committee, but the executive board is the body that has the power.

Mr Saunders said: "According to the constitution, a councillor is entitled to table a question to the executive board, then it is up to the board. The request is being placed on the agenda."

Cllr Redman said she had advised Cllr Christian that the board meeting on January 29 would be most suitable for a discussion because the budget was being debated.

She said: "That would have been the best time but Maureen is welcome to attend on Tuesday."