A LIFELINE for rural shops has been blocked by only one vote - while two of its supporters were absent.

City of York Council's vote on adopting discretionary rate relief for rural shops and post offices would have been passed if all councillors had been present at last night's full council meeting.

The motion, proposed by the Liberal Democrats, had support from Conservative and Independent members.

But Conservative Rebecca Snowden was unable to attend due to bereavement and Liberal Democrat Christopher Hogg had work commitments which kept him from attending.

The chance of victory for the opposition came after the resignation of two Labour councillors through ill-health - creating a hung council until the outcome of two by-elections later this month.

The vote was taken after a petition was handed to the council by the postmaster of Skelton Post Office, Hugh Simmons.

Mr Simmons said: "The actual cost to ratepayers would be very minimal indeed, and it would throw a lifeline to these shops at very little expense."

Only seven shops in City of York Council's area would be affected.

But Liberal Democrat leader, Steve Galloway, said: "If you take away these shops, then you will be forcing people into making journeys which otherwise would not have had to be made.

"Without such shops, residents have to travel some distance to get these services, and many find this very difficult. Losing them would also lose a central part of local communities."

Council leader, Rod Hills, said the Labour group's opposition came after consultation with business groups including the Federation of Small Businesses.

He said: "What we are trying to do is say if a shop is in serious difficulties we will listen and we can help and will put them in touch with experts such as Business Link.

"But discretionary rural rate relief would get us into serious difficulties. Shops serving populations of under 3,000 would qualify, but what would happen to those serving 3,001?"

Coun Galloway said: "We would have won the vote if all councillors had been present, but our view is that everything hangs on the forthcoming by-elections.

"If we had won this vote, then Labour would have reversed it if they win the by-elections. If we win, then we will re-consider it."

Last night's full council meeting also passed the policy and resources recommendations to replace the authority's committee style of Government with a cabinet system.