A new political group, set up by disgruntled residents, has voted to demand the head of the chief executive of a North Yorkshire district council.

Around 40 people turned up at a public meeting arranged by the Richmondshire Association of Council Tax Payers.

The local authority's performance was under the microscope in the light of recent council tax increases - particularly its record on spending.

But the decision to send 11 senior executives on a two-day adventure training exercise in April proved by far the most explosive.

The authority had only recently introduced new charges to help cover a shortfall in its budget when it emerged an estimated £7,000 of taxpayers' money had been spent on the course, which included two nights at the Morritt Arms Hotel.

Chief executive, Harry Tabiner, has maintained a vigorous defence of the exercise ever since, insisting it was value for money.

Nevertheless, the controversy has refused to die down with residents at Tuesday night's meeting once again condemning the authority's leadership for refusing to divulge precise details of the course or exactly how much it cost.

A two-hour debate ended with a vote of no confidence in the authority and another in favour of sending a letter to every Richmondshire councillor requesting Mr Tabiner's dismissal. The meeting also confirmed the new association intends to field candidates in some wards at the next election. ''We believe it is time for a change and, if that is what we want to achieve, then we have to stand together,'' said chairman Alan Gatenby. ''We all have to sing off the same song sheet and remember that together we stand and, divided, we'll fall.''