A feud has spilled out of the Whitchurch Town Council chamber after a councillor went public with his views.

Councillor Andy Hall said he believes the Personnel Committee is not following guidelines over complaints made by him against town clerk Nicola Young and has called on Mayor of Whitchurch, Cllr Tony Neville, to take action and disband the committee.

But Cllr Neville said he feels “betrayed” by the allegations which he described as “unfounded”.

Cllr Hall’s complaint described a previous meeting of the Personnel Committee ­– which is made up of fellow councillors – as a 'kangaroo court' and queried the accuracy of minutes from meetings held last year about complaints, and counter-complaints.

He said he felt there was a level of bias against him and questioned whether councillors' actions 'would clearly bring into question their integrity' contrary to the 'Nolan Principles' – a set of ethical standards expected of public office holders.

But he also admitted losing raising his voice in a meeting and showing aggression by slamming his hand on a desk, which he says he apologised for.

Cllr Hall added: "Cllr Neville, as chairman of the council I am asking that you ask the Full Council to consider disbanding the current Personnel Committee as it is not fit for purpose in its current form.

"I urge you to take leadership of this council to prevent this council descending into chaos.

"I also request that you put these concerns on the Full Council agenda for discussion on Thursday, February 21 2019 under Standing Orders section 11 - Urgent Business."

But Cllr Neville, who will finish his two years as mayor in May 2018, defended his council and his clerk, calling the allegations from Cllr Hall 'unfounded' and disappointing.

“Along with many of the members of Whitchurch Town Council I am absolutely shocked and as well feel betrayed by the allegations made by Cllr Hall," he said.

Cllr Neville noted the numerous achievements of the council over the last 12 months, before adding: “Therefore Cllr Hall’s comments and unfounded allegations are all deeply disappointing to me and the many staff and volunteers who work unceasingly for the residents of Whitchurch.

"Cllr Hall has undertaken a series of vexatious complaints against an extremely competent and hard-working town clerk since December 2018 and has made serious allegations about the members of the council’s Personnel Committee, in a confidential part of a recent meeting, at which he was not present without providing a single shred of evidence to support them.

"Most recently Cllr Hall was ejected from the Council Personnel Committee held on February 14 for disorderly conduct.

"Disappointingly Cllr Hall has acted in way which could bring councillors into disrepute, showing absolutely no regard for his fellow councillor’s integrity or indeed the public interest.

"All council committees follow the correct council procedures taking advice where appropriate, from the Shropshire Association of Local Councils and Ellis Witham, our retained HR advisers.

"Whitchurch Town Council is a thriving, ambitious, enthusiastic, dedicated group of volunteers with new members, with fresh ideas and we will continue doing great work for the people of Whitchurch regardless of the iniquitous behaviour of Cllr Hall.

"Any resident of Whitchurch can attend the monthly council meetings to see for themselves – I am proud of what we have achieved and look forward to a vibrant future for the town.”