A POLITICAL row broke out after a meeting on Castle Point Council’s finances became heated.

Councillors debated after the authority’s finances were spelled out.

It showed the council had under spent general funds by £286,000 and the council’s housing revenue fund by £257,000 from March 2015 to April 2016 .

Neville Watson, Canvey Independent councillor for Winter Gardens, congratulated the Tory-controlled council on balancing the books but called for cash received by the council for building new homes to be spent.

He said: “Is it true that the council received £1.7million of house bonus money?

“What are you going to do with the money?”

Andrew Sheldon, Tory councillor for St Mary’s ward, called on the Canvey Independent party, to put forward a counter budget.

He said: “I have not once seen a council budget from any of the opposition.

“Constitution states that you can provide a suggested budget.

“I lay down a gauntlet, if you want any form of direction over what goes on in this council, give us a counter budget. I am sure all of your voters will be incredibly surprised to learn that you have never produced one.”

Mr Watson responded to Mr Sheldon by telling him to “calm down, dear.”

This prompted Mr Sheldon to shout: “Don’t you dare patronise me Councillor Watson, how dare you sit there and do that. This is an utter disgrace.”

Castle Point mayor Steven Cole pleaded for calm in the chamber, as shouts continued to come from both Tory and Canvey Independent councillors.

Mr Sheldon apologised for his outburst, but criticised Mr Watson for dismissing what is “a serious matter.”

Jeffrey Stanley, councillor responsible for finance, revealed that a decision will be made on how the money will be spent in February.