A bid to scrap controversial rules banning doormats and plants in communal hallways of flats in Wolverhampton has been thrown out.

Councillor Richard Whitehouse put forward a motion to force Wolverhampton Homes into changing the controversial measures, which were launched because of health and safety fears.

But he failed to get support from Labour and the Tories for his call at a meeting of Wolverhampton City Council last night.

Councillors on both sides of the political divide accused Liberal Democrat Councillor Whitehouse of “electioneering” because he is standing as a Parliamentary candidate in Wolverhampton South East.

His motion called for the council to intervene to stop Wolverhampton Homes, which manages 23,500 council properties, from removing plants and doormats.

The policy was brought in as part of a shake-up of fire safety following a fatal fire at a block of flats in Camberwell, London, last year.

Councillor Whitehouse said: “I’ve always thought that to permanently deprive someone of an item is theft.

“The decision of Wolverhampton Homes has really upset residents.

“Officers from the company came round and threw out plants and doormats.”

Councillor Paddy Bradley, the Tory regeneration chief in charge of housing policy, proposed an amendment saying that the council would look into the matter once an inquiry had concluded into the deaths of two firefighters at a flat fire in Southampton.

All but the Liberal Democrats accepted the amendment and Councillor Bradley added: “I feel extremely concerned that this is being put down during an electioneering.

“We’ve known about this for some time, and I’ve not heard a word from Councillor Whitehouse about the people complaining.”

Councillor Whitehouse said he would have brought the motion to a previous meeting but missed the deadline by a day.

Tenants who flout new rules face heavy fines or even jail, it has emerged.

Pot plants, pictures and other items were outlawed last year as part of the “zero tolerance” crackdown on communal corridors and landings at flats throughout the city.

Lesley Roberts, chief executive of Wolverhampton Homes, said: “Our customers’ safety is our number one priority. We will do everything within our power to protect them from harm.

“We understand the concerns raised about keeping items in communal areas and we will continue to work with tenants, leaseholders and councillors to find a solution.

“We welcome the proposed reviews into the best way to keep our customers safe from fire and will co-operate fully.”