Arbroath is set to endure further wrangling over future school provision after a decision on a new primary was referred to a full meeting of Angus Council.
The creation of a new Hayshead Primary School hit the headlines this week when The Courier revealed the authority does not have the cash for the proposed £9 million new build.
Councillors met to thrash out the matter and became embroiled in a bitter war of words as an attempt to put the brakes on the project was thrown out.
Councillor Ewan Smith called for details on funding after revelations that there is a £20.1 million shortfall for planned future provision.
Asking that the committee stop short of approving spending on the new school he said: “We are proposing to recommend something without knowing where the money for it is coming from.”
He added: “Normally when I go to buy a house I check if I can afford the mortgage before I put in a bid.”
Despite gaining backing for his position, it was thrown out and the matter will move to full council on October 24.
Montrose SNP member Bill Duff later said Mr Smith was: “Impersonating Don Quixote on his specialist subject: Arbroath primary schools.”
He accused Mr Smith of “jumping the gun” and said a capital budget would soon be “thrashed out” to allow for a third new Arbroath school in three years.