Anticipating the meeting would focus on controversial council policies, such as the recently abandoned plans for library closures, Cllr Blakeley said: “We have got absolutely nothing to be afraid of.”
However, Darren Dodd, agent for Labour candidate Andrew Hollingworth, declined the invitation.
And a Lib-Dem spokeswoman also said their candidate, Steve Pitt, would not be joining the meeting.
She said: “We have already replied saying that Steve has a prior family commitment that night.
“But he will attend any meeting arranged by an independent organisation to which all candidates are invited.”
The event will be open to voters and the debate will be chaired by Dave Laird.
