CHILTERN District Council is to spend time and resources debating the rights and wrongs of gay marriages - even though the motion was described as 'stupid' by its proposer.

The motion tabled by Lib Dem Jane Bramwell will also seek to force the authority's members, employees and contractors to treat gay and co-habiting couples on equal terms with wedded spouses.

If the motion is passed it could effect a large number of the council's policies, from its influence on the administration of the pension scheme to the wording of the chairman's invitations to functions.

But it emerged this week that the motion is merely a 'spoiler' intended to grab the limelight from a motion by Tory councillor David Meacock to refuse payment in euros for council services.

Cllr Bramwell told the Free Press: "Although this motion is of interest to the council, the reason I have put it down is because Mr Meacock put down this stupid thing on the euro.

"What we shouldn't be doing is discussing national matters and wasting council time furthering Mr Meacock's political ambitions, so every time he puts down a stupid motion I'll put down one as well."

Cllr Bramwell's motion asks the council to support The Civil Partnerships Bill, tabled by Liberal Democrat peer and human rights lawyer Lord Lester of Herne Hill, which would extend the legal rights of marriage to cohabiting couples, heterosexual or homosexual, by letting them register a civil partnership.

Cllr Bramwell said: "Particularly through the Citizens' Advice Bureau - I have met people who aren't. Their lives are made extremely difficult and I think it's important that the council takes a lead and makes life as easy as possible for people who don't have conventional sexuality."

Cllr Meacock said he would be voting against Cllr Bramwell's motion because it was against Chiltern's constitution.