A decision to remove councillors from a housing association’s board in exchange for help to cut the authority’s asbestos bill has been likened to "bribery".

Three Rivers District Council voted to stop nominating representatives to Thrive Homes’ board at a council meeting on Tuesday night after a mediation brought forward a proposal which would be "of significant value to the council".

A report stated that if the council stopped nominating members to Thrive’s board, the association would pay for an additional two months of asbestos work - which would have been billed to the authority.

When the authority sold its housing supply to Thrive Homes in 2008, there was an agreement in place that stated Thrive Homes would pay for the first £1 million worth of asbestos investigations and removal.

The Watford Observer learned this figure was reached during 2014 and the administration has now budgeted £150,000 for future removal of asbestos in the district.

Councillor Paula Hiscocks told the council meeting: "I am not happy with this arrangement whereby we give up nominations on the board for money.

"It is a sort of bribery. We will let you off some of the payment for the asbestos - I think it is two months worth - and you do not come and sit on our board.

"In fact, I would be happier if there was no money involved."

Councillor Shaw defended the proposal, saying the council could not afford to overlook it She said: "This proposal emerged out of the mediation process and it offers a considerable financial advantage which we cannot afford to overlook.

"We know Thrive’s strategy is to expand, moving into Aylesbury and Milton Keynes as a start, which inevitably dilutes its connection with TRDC.

"It does not mean that the councillors role in trying to resolve problems for tenants in their wards, which I am all too familiar with, is diminished and I really think we have nothing to lose by giving up the right to nominate members to the board."

However, another row broke out when Councillor Ty Harris, Tory representative for Oxhey Hall and Hayling, said at the meeting: "We must all remember two of the Lib Dem council nominees did resign from the board and become co-optees, which are paid positions, and this does raise concern with regards to what is going to happen here.

"Are we going to have any reassurances that if the council broke away from Thrive Homes, will any councillor be in a position to join Thrive Homes at a later date and then get paid? I don’t know if I could support that."

But Councillor Sarah Nelmes, who was one of the Lib Dem councillors who resigned, reacted by saying: "I presume that I was one of the people referred to by Councillor Harris, who has resigned and then been co-opted.

"I would like him to withdraw immediately any suggestion I have ever had a single penny for expenses or fees from Thrive on either of the roles I have undertook there".

Councillor Harris did acknowledge that Councillor Nelmes had not taken anything and denied suggesting councillors had been paid as a result of becoming co-optees.