A PARISH council has been left in disarray after infighting led to the mass resignation of more than half its members.Sea Palling and Waxham Parish Council can no longer make any decisions because it does not have enough members to make them legally binding.

A PARISH council has been left in disarray after infighting led to the mass resignation of more than half its members.

Sea Palling and Waxham Parish Council can no longer make any decisions because it does not have enough members to make them legally binding.

On Monday, North Norfolk District Council will consider parachuting in four district councillors to help run the council.

With an election already planned to fill one vacant seat on the seven-member council, four other members resigned en masse earlier this month. Their departure leaves only two members, David Russell and Mary Vacca, but three are needed to form the quorum required for the council to conduct its business.

Mr Russell and Mrs Vacca refused to comment. But it is believed infighting on the council had been rife for a number of months.

This came to a head in May after the resignation of Rod Blyth caused an argument over whether an election needed to be called or whether a new member could be co-opted.

Though minutes of the June meeting which prompted the mass resignation are not yet available, snippets from the May meeting show tensions were high. As well as detailing a disagree-ment over who should be council's chairman, the minutes go on to record an argument over the election.

They say: “Councillor P Weston wrote to the parish council stating that she could not understand why two members of the parish council helped force an election costing in the region of £600 when the parish council had four names for co-option. Councillor Vacca said she found the letter offensive and explained her reason was that she did not feel qualified to interview candidates. Councillor Russell said it was everyone's right to seek an election. Councillor M Weston asked the minutes to record his disgust at the unnecessary action and waste of public money.”

Emma Duncan, district council monitoring officer, has suggested four district councillors, Richard Price, Simon Partridge, Barrie Smith and Lee Walker, be appointed to the parish council so the council can continue to operate.

An election for the seat vacated by Mr Blyth in May is on July 10.