A FEUD between Stockton Borough Council and Yarm Town Council has intensified after Yarm's clerk accused the borough's chief executive of 'prodding' him after a heated meeting.

Yarm Town Council chair Peter Monck submitted an official complaint to the borough council's leader, Bob Cook, after claiming Stockton chief executive Neil Schneider 'put his hands' on Yarm clerk Terry Chapman, and allegedly said he 'should take this outside'.

But Cllr Cook launched a blistering attack on the town council last night, saying its claims were 'ludicrous'.

He said town councillors 'gatecrashed' a meeting organised by MP Paul Williams with Yarm traders and made political points.

"It didn't end there, though, because when the meeting finished they aimed their fire at a non-political official, who quite rightly said he cannot engage in political arguments and suggested they'd be better off following the MP outside if they wish to have one," said Cllr Cook.

"To imply anything more sinister is nothing short of ludicrous, and that is borne out by independent reports from I've had from people at the meeting and who, quite frankly, are in utter disbelief at the behaviour of Yarm Town Council's representatives.

"Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s whole focus will be on doing all it can as quickly as it can to support the newly-formed town trader team to help Yarm thrive. Like the traders, we don’t have much tolerance for the antics of Yarm Town Council.

"If they want to continue with their focus on nonsense then that is a matter for them, but we will certainly not be distracted and will remain focused on what’s important.”

Cllr Monck, in his complaint, claimed there had been 'bullying and harassment' and said it would 'not be tolerated under any circumstances'.

He said he requested an urgent meeting but Cllr Cook refused it 'in the light of the way your representatives behaved'.

Cllr Monck said: "Cllr Cook, instead of dealing with the issue of harassment and bullying of an elected member and the Town Clerk...would rather try to discredit Yarm Town Council. There is nothing sinister about a complaint against the CEO of Stockton Council. Cllr Cook should deal with the issue in front of him instead of resorting to trying to discredit the Town Council."