An "undemocratic" move to remove the right for the opposition to present their ideas to the council has been agreed.

Hertsmere Borough Council will be making some major changes to it's constitution after the majority of the councillors voted for it at the full council meeting last night.

Two of the changes encourages greater participation from both councillors and members of the public and include giving them the option to respond to questions they have put to the council.

However, a third change has removed the right for the opposition to present their business to the council.

Before the change, opposition business allowed two principle opposition groups to include up to two items on the agenda at a council meeting.

There was also another option called motion procedure where any members of the council, including the opposition could put forward items for a council meeting, however these motions could be amended afterwards.

Borehamwood Cowley Hill Labour councillor Michelle Vince, said at the meeting that this move was "appalling and undemocratic" and is an attempt to "gag" the only two members of the opposition on the council.

She added: "Although the option of proposing motions is still available, this will tend to have a political line and these motions can still be amended by the tory councillors to suit their views, whereas this can't be done for opposition business."

Former Hertsmere Labour leader, Ann Harrison said: "I am both disturbed and angry by the removal of this right from the opposition. The agenda is of necessity dominated by the controlling group but the option for the opposition to raise business is essential for the furtherance of democracy.

"I also do not understand why the removal of this clause has been proposed, it cost the council nothing – removing it will save no money and diminishes democracy in Hertsmere.

"The leader of the council has always in the past stated that he wants an active opposition which is good for democracy. He has obviously changed his mind and wants to curb participation of the opposition and eliminate any challenge to his authority."

Ms Harrison added that the facility for opposition business has been used in the past to raise issues such as the living wage for council employees, which would not have been addressed by the administration.

Conservative leader of the council Morris Bright said: "The recommendations are about trying to find a way to make the full council meetings more inclusive and streamlined.

"Currently opposition business is very similar to the motion procedure - so there is no point in having both there.

"Here no-one will be losing out - in the past the opposition have come up with some really good ideas and they can still put things forward the motion procedure.

"These changes will make council meetings more interesting and get the public more involved, which is good for democracy."