THE leader of Cotswold District Council (CDC) has branded calls for him to resign as “the usual Lib Dem nonsense”.

Lynden Stowe’s words come after a number of councillors clamoured for him to step down in the wake of a decision not to pursue proposals for Cotswold District to break away from the county council.

It was hoped the district could create a new political union with West Oxfordshire.

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The move received fierce opposition from leaders in Gloucestershire, who said it would amount to the “ripping up” of borders established more than 1,00 years ago.

However, Lynden Stowe said the proposal could save money by merging services.

In April, CDC cabinet members agreed to hand over up to £25,000 to see if the project was viable, but PriceWaterhouseCoopers came back quickly, saying current legislation would make it all but impossible without support from other public bodies.

The study cost around £4,000, the Standard can reveal.

Following the announcement, there were calls for Cllr Stowe to resign, including Cotswold Lib Dem leader Joe Harris, who said he should be “considering his position as leader”.

Cllr Stowe called his remarks “the usual Lib Dem nonsense”.

“It’s my job, as leader, to explore options that will deliver good council services at a low cost to Cotswold taxpayers," he said.

“It’s that challenge to existing structures that has saved Cotswold taxpayers more than £9million over the last eight years, protected all frontline services and allowed us to cut council tax.

“During that time Lib Dems have opposed virtually every efficiency measure. Wherever we seek out progress and improvement, the Lib Dems seek to undermine it.”

The figure saved by sharing services was originally thought to be £5million, by Lynden Stowe later said it was £9million including money saved using waste services company Ubico.

The move to break away from Gloucestershire County Council split senior Conservatives, with almost all opposing any move toward separation.

None have called for the CDC's resignation, however.

Cllr Harris said: "I think Lynden Stowe's refusal to accept responsibility for this failure is regrettable. He's tried turning the blame on the government, the Lib Dems and the rest of Gloucestershire. He's totally discredited."

"The Conservatives have some good councillors at CDC and it's about time Lynden Stowe made way for someone more credible."