A COUNCIL meeting ended in controversy after the Conservative group leader stormed out.

Cllr George Beckett of Winchester City Council had wanted to set up a working group to scrutinise planning policies in rural areas, but was told by officers it couldn’t happen.

Eloise Appleby, head of cultural services, said working groups cannot run concurrently because of officer time constraints and that one already existed for the particular committee.

Cllr Beckett said: “This is just another victory for the officers. I’m sorry chair, but I am too angry to continue.”

The Conservative leader left the meeting shortly before it ended, but it was agreed an informal group could be set up without officer participation.