Angry Bradford Council workers will be helped to "cool it" by a pioneering City Hall mediation service.

At the moment there are only a handful of local authority workplace mediation schemes across the country.

The bid to defuse staff clashes follows criticism of staff relations at a number of high profile disciplinary hearings.

The pilot project is expected to run for a year - but it could be extended to cover the entire 23,000-strong workforce if it is a success.

The Council has already set up a ground-breaking mediation scheme on its estates, with a peace-making team aiming to nip conflicts in the bud.

It has also set up an £85,000 scheme to provide counselling, physiotherapy and advice to workers after a survey showed a large number were suffering from stress.

Council leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "I think it is a very good thing. Many a big problem could have been defused at an early stage. It could save the Council money if costly tribunals are averted."

Officers setting up the scheme have had meetings with the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service.

Val Mayfair, employee support officer, said the service would be run by volunteer mediators who would be trained.

It would target disputes involving more than one worker, where personality clashes were possible.

"The idea is to nip things in the bud but both sides must agree to mediation," she added.

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