A top council official has fired off a stinging letter branding the behaviour of some councillors ‘unacceptable’.

Chief executive of Christchurch, David McIntosh, says their actions are ‘damaging to the reputation of the council and the democratic process’.

His attack came in a letter to council leader, Ray Nottage, which reads like a stiff dressing down to the man who is effectively his boss.

The row erupted after Christchurch members alleg-edly tried to stitch up in advance the chairmanship of a joint ethical governance committee working with their neighbours at East Dorset.

The move apparently took East Dorset members by surprise and then angered them.

The two councils have joint staffing and deliver joint services but they still have separate councillors to maintain political independence from each other.

Mr McIntosh – chief executive of both – has written to Cllr Nottage saying East Dorset members described Christchurch as ‘a cabal’ and that it was ‘a them and us situation’.

He adds: “One EDDC member told that it was like dealing with the enemy rather than people who are supposed to be our friends.

“A CBC employee who was present said they were ashamed to be associated with their members.”

Mr McIntosh said: “Conduct of this type is unacceptable.”

He asked the leader to raise the issue with members and asked for an assurance there would not be a repeat of the behaviour in future.

The committee did elect Christchurch’s Cllr Myra Mawbey to chair it.

Since the partnership working began, some Christchurch councillors have expressed concerns at the partnership with East Dorset – worried they will lose their sovereignty and independence.

This was heightened when potential plans to locate council staff in one place were mooted earlier this year.

When contacted by the Daily Echo, chief executive David McIntosh declined to comment.

Cllr Nottage said he wouldn’t comment until he had addressed councillors.