Former council leader John Tanner has attacked Oxford City Council bosses for outlining 3m worth of cuts from vital services, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Liberal Democrats and Greens, who run the council, have been forced to draw up the list of cost-cutting measures because of a lack of savings.

They have responded angrily to the former Labour councillor's claims and say the administration which he led until last year is largely responsible for the deficit.

Mr Tanner has formed a new campaign group called Scrap the campaign to stop cuts and privatisation. Campaigners will meet at 7.30pm at Oxford Town Hall next Wednesday.

Mr Tanner denied the cuts were made necessary because of his administration's spending policy. "We didn't believe in big balances and we spent as much as we were able," he said, "but we were prudent with the money and always had reserves of about 2m.

"Since the Liberal Democrats came to power they have embarked on a series of costly pet projects which were not budgeted for including allowing Bob Block, the chief executive, to retire early."

Mr Tanner didn't rule out standing for the council in future but claimed he was not 'electioneering' and was protesting as a concerned citizen of Oxford.

But Cllr Corinna Redman, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said she was astonished by Mr Tanner's claims.

She added: "Labour spent more than 16m in three years, completely draining the council's reserves and that is why we are having to try to find savings today."