Council troubleshooters are being drafted in to sort out an Angus community council ripped apart by bitter in-fighting.
A moratorium on Arbroath Community Council will be held over the summer, with officials from Angus Council now stepping in to shake up the crisis-hit group.
Last month The Courier revealed six police officers had been called to the latest community council meeting on April 24.
The 999 call was made by secretary Angela Smith, who became distressed over heated questions from a member of the public over the proposed closure of Arbroath Sheriff Court.
An Angus councillor who attends the regular meetings has been reported to the Standards Commission five times by the group since November and is now in the process of legal action.
The local authority confirmed its official intervention on Wednesday. An Angus Council spokeswoman said: “Arbroath Community Council have agreed to a moratorium over the summer.
“During that time, the council will work with them to identify and develop an improvement action plan.
“We hope that the community council can re-establish itself and carry on the good work it has done in the past and we will support its members in achieving this.”
Chairman of the community council, Ian Watson, said: “We are currently working closely with Angus council.
“It has been agreed that the community council will take a summer sabbatical until September this year.
“During our four-month sabbatical period, members will be continuing with our efforts for the upcoming Glamis event, our November fireworks annual event and a clutch of other community projects that have been in the pipeline for some time.”
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather welcomed Angus Council’s involvement.
He said “I’m pleased the council have looked at it and seen there have to be improvements.”
Former community council member Kevin Barthorpe resigned from the group due to the ongoing crisis.
He said: “In my own opinion, a community council is a great thing for any town and I genuinely believe they need to move on from the issues that began in November. The community council can do a lot for Arbroath if they can get over this.”
Sandy Bates, who acted as interim chairman before Ian Watson took up the post last month, also resigned from the community council after last month’s contentious meeting.
It is understood another three members have also stepped down. North East MSP Alex Johnstone called for the council to hold an “independent investigation.”
He said: “One elected member of Angus Council has had the police at his door twice, although no action has been taken and been reported to the Standards Commission five times, with subsequent legal action still ongoing against the community council.
“This situation appears to be completely out of control, and must be addressed.