TOWN HALL FOCUS: Newest force determined to serve the ratepayers

Like the other minority group, the Green party, the major parties must seek their approval before they can win any votes.

The Sheffield Group holds more of the balance of power because the larger Labour group only needs the support of one group - and the views of Couns Smith and Davis, an ex Lib Dem - are more reflective of the political mainstream than those of the Greens.

But Couns Smith, who has previously been in the same position for a year in 2002-3 when there was also a hung council, and Davis state that they do not consider whether or not to support a vote for political reasons.

"Opposition does not necessarily mean that groups should automatically have diametrically opposing policies to those of the ruling group.

"We, the Sheffield Group, always do our utmost to separate the political criticism from criticising the officers and staff of the council who are doing their best for the city as a whole," they said.

"Opposition should always be constructive, the right input can in many cases improve or reinforce policy to everyone's benefit.

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"Our duty as politicians is to try to change things for the better. Strong opposition is vital to improve the quality of life for everyone in the city. It is not strong to engage in constant public bashing.

"Only through informed and reasoned debate can change be achieved. Individually, over the years we have managed to influence council thinking."

Since Labour lost overall control in May, Couns Smith and Davis have played an important role.

Their support was key to Labour controversially overturning a decision to halt the merger of Wisewood and Myers Grove schools - but they have also helped the Lib Dems defeat Labour on a number of motions.

Couns Smith and Davis said: "Proposals should be well thought out, costed and effective; after all, no one has a monopoly on good ideas and it is the ratepayer who will ultimately pick up the bill.

"It is easy in opposition to put forward ill thought out, uncosted, impracticable ideas and make promises that cannot be fulfilled in order to gain temporary electoral advantage, but we, the Sheffield Group, believe firmly in strong constructive opposition and are here to serve the best interests of those we are elected to represent."