DORSET Council's new Lib Dem administration has been accused of making 'misleading' claims.

The Conservative-dominated Place and Resources Scrutiny committee heard on Tuesday the the Lib Dems had claimed to be making a saving of £100,000 a year – by ditching 'lead councillor' roles, started by the previous administration.

The positions, similar to a deputy for Cabinet portfolio holders, were started by the Conservatives, each post being awarded an extra £10,000 a year, in addition to any other allowances.

It put many of those holding the positions on around £25,000 a year.

When the Lib Dems came to power in May they scrapped the positions, and the allowances which went with them, as being uneccessary.

In publicity which followed around the decision to hold car park fees at winter prices at the Swannery, Weymouth; West Bay Road, West Bay and Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis, the Lib Dems said they would, if needed, put the £100,000 saved by scrapping the lead councillor roles, towards any shortfall in car parking income – likely to reach a £276,000 shortfall on average takings between July and October.

Scrutiny committee chairman Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke (Con, Blandford) said he was concerned that a £100,000 'saving' by not having the roles, had been used once, and then later repeated in an official council document, although it was wrong. He said based on six lead councillor roles, which is what the previous administration had, the difference was £60,000.

"That figure of £100,000 has been put out to the public. It's wrong. But there has been no correction" he said.

"How did a number, which is almost double, get put in?" he said.