‘ENOUGH is enough, you have to go.’

A long-standing Christchurch councillor has called for the Tory leader to resign over the “irreparable damage” caused by his leadership.

Cllr Colin Bungey, the leader of the Independent group on the council, has called on Conservative members to take action, saying leader Cllr Ray Nottage is ‘not trusted’ by residents.

And one disaffected senior Conservative told the Echo: “Morale has never been so low at the council and I have never had so many complaints from residents. Ray Nottage has to go.”

The Echo understands at least nine of the council’s 21 Tories want him to quit.

Cllr Bungey, a former mayor of the borough and an Honorary Freeman, said: “He and his associates have done irreparable damage to the reputation of this council.

“They are distrusted and it’s reflecting badly on the council as a whole. It is down to the Conservative group to take action. They must have the courage to represent the people who have voted for them and say ‘enough is enough.’They need to elect a new leader and deputy leader and start again.

“They have to realise that people are more informed these days and take a bit more interest in where the money is being wasted and spent.”

He added: “It is a shame the good ward councillors who take their job seriously are being tarred with the same brush as the rest of Cllr Nottage’s associates.

“I have been a councillor for more than 30 years and in all those years I have served with the borough council, I have never known a council that has been so disliked and distrusted.”

The latest blow to the council’s reputation has been the Highcliffe beach hut ‘fiasco’.

Production company Plum Pictures pulled out of the deal to build 12 beach huts at Highcliffe cliffs, saying the council were unable to deliver the project. Hundreds of residents protested at the plans.

Other issues have been the bins on the quay, Jettygate, merger plans, and Cllr Nottage’s style of leadership. Cllr Bungey declined to comment on the beach hut issue, saying: “As it is subject of a scrutiny investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment ahead of that.”

Cllr Nottage declined to comment.

As part of an email to all Conservative members last week, Cllr Nottage said the development of Highcliffe beaches would continue to be discussed at the Tory group’s private meeting in September.

A document from Dorset Coastal Community Team’s (DCCT) plan for Christchurch includes adding a surf hire and ‘surf pods’ along Highcliffe cliffs.

A document, available on the council’s website says this could lead to investments in future business, support jobs and improve the visitor experience.

The CCT is part of Dorset Coast Forum who provide the connective economic plan for Dorset.