AN INDEPENDENT inquiry will be held into the dispute over pay and conditions at Ebley Mill following concerns that recent strikes are affecting council services.

A full investigation into the events leading up to the strike is to take place once industrial action is over.

The drama began before Christmas, when Stroud District Council chiefs demanded workers sign new contracts or lose their jobs as part of an efficiency drive.

But members of public sector worker's union UNISON - which represents almost half the council's 615 staff - voted overwhelmingly in favour of a series of one-day strikes.

So far the Conservative administration has refused to intervene, leaving senior officers to battle it out with UNISON.

But opposition councillors say it is time for politicians to become involved because strikes are affecting services.

And in an attempt to resolve the problem they have called for a special meeting to be held at Ebley Mill on Wednesday, March 1 at 2pm.

The motion for an inquiry was put forward by Cllr Ken Stephens (Lab, Eastington and Standish) at last Thursday's meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee.

Cllr Stephens said: "We have obviously got a problem because we have staff taking industrial action against us.

"I am just trying to find out what has happened and why."

Cllr John Marjoram (Green, Trinity) said many members want questions answered.

"I think it's been very badly handled," he said.

"There's a lot of questions opposition councillors want answered.

"We want a meeting with management, unions and councillors to see if we can find a resolution."

Council leader Chas fellows (Con, Chalford) welcomed the investigation.

He said: "I welcome the overview and scrutiny committee's decision to undertake a scoping exercise once the dispute is resolved.

"Once this has been done, the council can decide if a full investigation is required or not."