Labour councillors have angrily rejected allegations they are planning to axe the post of mayor in a bid to cut the cost of council services.

The row was sparked when council officers presented the money-saving proposal to the leaders of Merton’s political parties.

If the council decided to act on the proposal, which would save around £50,000, Merton would become the only borough in Britain without a mayor.

Labour leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “Any suggestion we want to do away with the mayor is absolute tosh. Officers have a duty to look at all out options but I’m disappointed that this proposal was ever drawn up.”

Deputy leader, Councillor Mark Betteridge added: “There is absolutely no question of us undermining the first citizen of this borough. This is petty party politics and the mayoralty should be above that.”

But the leader of Merton’s Conservatives, Councillor Debbie Shears, has demanded the whole council show’s its support for the Mayor’s position in a motion due to go before a meeting of all councillors yesterday evening.

She said: “He is the public face of the council and raises in excess of £40,000 a year for good causes. Local people see it as a great honour for the mayor to come and visit them and there’s just no way you could do without the position - if for no other reason than to chair council meetings.

“Getting rid of the Mayor is just a bizarre suggestion. We all know we need to tighten our belts but there are certain ways to do it. Making Merton the first local authority in Britain to not have a mayor is outrageous.”

Conservative Councillor David Dean added: “Quite clearly this is about Labour rejecting everything that’s traditional in Merton. It’s a disgusting idea that they’re only thinking of because they see the mayor as old and Conservative.”