A council leader has denied plans to change Redbridge music and drama services were "rushed through" but admitted they were exposed before key staff could be told.

Under plans revealed last week, management of Redbridge Music Service and Redbridge Drama Centre could be transferred from council control to charity Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure.

The chair of Friends of Redbridge Music Service Lynn Hammond said the decision making process seemed “very short” and hoped the popular arts service could make an informed decision “rather than be pressured into being rushed into anything.”

Today leader of Redbridge council Jas Athwal dismissed these claims, as well as Cllr Paul Canal's concern over a lack of consultation.

He said: “The suggestion we have not discussed or consulted on the plans for Redbridge music and drama service is very misleading and completely untrue.

“Our intention was to announce the proposal once all key people and staff had been informed.

“Unfortunately the information was made public ahead of these meetings.

“In the current financial climate, with threats to services and hugely increasing pressure on budgets, it’s important to look at all measures to protect services as much as possible.”

A decision on the plans, which would see £185,000 transferred back to the two services, will be debated by a cross-party committee and cabinet.

Vision has a turnover of £18m and after taking charge of library services in the borough in 2011 managed to cut costs from £6m to £3m.

Cllr Athwal continued: “No decision has been made at this stage as we need to speak to staff, service users and other residents as part of the process.

“We want to explore the possibility of a transfer to Vision, as they already have a strong track record of operating more efficiently, bringing in funding and transforming services, which can be seen with the improvements to the Borough’s libraries in the last three years.”