THERE was a heated row at a recent meeting of Yarm Town Council over a decision to exclude the press and public over a discussion about a mystery surrounding missing railings.

Rumours have been going around the town that the railings which used to surround the town’s war memorial had been sold to a scrap merchant by an individual associated with the council.

One town councillor, Bob Wegg, read a prepared statement in which he argued that the matter should be discussed openly.

He said: “It is possible that an investigation could take place. If we keep this [secret] would we be, in fact, covering up a serious breach? All councillors could be charged. I am not prepared to break the law.”

Chairman of the council, Peter Monck, responded that the issue should be discussed in secret until all the information was discovered and then it would be debated publicly. The matter was personal.

However a former chairman of the council, Jason Hadlow, who is currently chairman of Yarm Residents Association, spoke during the public session to challenge decision.

He said: “I am continually astonished by the requirement of the council to hold secret meetings. It can only raise the suspicion of Yarm residents as to wrong-doing within their ranks.”

Mr Hadlow later said during the meeting, in Yarm Town Hall on Tuesday night, that the railings fetched “£350 from a scrap dealer.” Another member of the public said it should be reported to the police. It is believed the railings have been returned to the council.

Cllr Wegg added that “the guy himself has mentioned it in public” and everyone in the town was talking about it.

But Cllr Monck repeated that it was “sensitive and personal” and in any case “was not true” and the decision stood.

The person at the centre of the allegations could not be contacted for comment.