A SPECIAL meeting has been called to discuss the future of a council that has split into two rival “factions”.

Battle lines are being drawn between newer and more established members at Upton Town Council over how the council should be run.

The split hinges on the issue of updating the council’s standing orders, the rules dictating how the council conducts its business.

While some councillors feel tweaks to its existing practices and the way they are worded are what is required, a rival bid has emerged calling for a whole new way of working.

This would see full council meetings taking place twice a month, with working groups replacing official committees.

One councillor, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette that tensions had been building for some time and the “stand off” was starting to have a negative impact. “It is a bit of a power struggle and it is extremely important that it is resolved,” they said.

“It is simmering and has been for at least the last three meetings and something needs to be done to clear the air.”

The divisions within the 15- strong council were clear during its meeting on Tuesday, as discussions over revising the standing orders became heated.

Coun Mary Lismore said she felt the division was due to newer councillors being ignored.

“These factions arise for a reason.

When I first arrived my impression was that there were a lot of self-interested councillors that were not interested in taking the newer ones forward,”

she said.

“That is why I believe we have this split If you don’t want us to factionalise then you have to talk to us and you have to listen to us.”

Amid suggestions councillors were working without official remit and creating majorities outside the council chamber, while others were being excluded entirely, mayor Andrea Morgan said: “We have got to discuss things as a council, not as two separate entities.

“We are responsible for the whole of Upton and we have got to be democratic and work together.”

A meeting to discuss the standing order issue and attempt to resolve the divisions was hastily arranged for Tuesday evening.

􀁥 Upton’s deputy mayor Paul Bennett announced his resignation on Wednesday. Coun Bennett, who was elected in May and will remain a member of the town council, said he did not want to discuss his reasons.