A senior councillor has been accused of misleading a committee about controversial service charges.

Bill Randall, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council's housing committee, suggested council tenants were “fine” with the proposed fees, including sums for mobility scooter storage, lift maintenance and communal lighting.

Tenants could be charged £4 a week for scooter storage, up to £2.75 for electricity and 85p for lift maintenance.

But Conservative councillor Mary Mears has launched an official complaint, saying tenants were not properly consulted.

Speaking after Coun Randall's comments, Coun Mears said: “After talking to a tenant who was at the sheltered housing meeting, their version is different to the information we received at committee.”

The chairman of the High Rise Action Support Group has also said his views were misrepresented after it was claimed he said tenants had “had a good run for their money”.

Andy Tuck said: “I am only one person, and I am not in a position to speak for all tenants that will be affected by these charges.

“Can I say at no time did I, or would I, have considered agreeing to an issue that will be very sensitive to all council tenants.”

In response, Coun Randall said: “There is absolutely no basis to her complaint and I will of course be challenging it.”

A council spokeswoman said the authority was not able to comment.