THE deputy mayor of a town council stormed out of a planning meeting after believing she was being picked on by another councillor.

Cllr Michaela Ellis walked out of the Lyme Regis Town Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday night, believing she was "being got at" after a disagreement broke out over councillors viewing plans before the meeting.

Before plans for The Pilot Boat Inn were heard and approved by councillors, Cllr Reynolds, acting as stand-in chairman, said "this meeting is getting out of hand" - while councillors joked about issuing a rescinding motion following a meeting earlier in the evening to rescind the decision to remove the Marine Theatre advertising rotunda.

Cllr Reynolds asked members if they wanted a rescinding motion after initially being split on plans for the Pilot Boat Inn, asking "would you like a rescinding motion, because you can have one?"

Cllr Ellis said: "There is no need to get petty about rescinding motions because we have had one tonight".

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell added that “someone once was made mayor on a rescinding motion.”

With delays viewing plans due to problems with the council's laptop and projector, Cllr Reynolds spoke out on more than one occasion that she believed members should have viewed plans and read documents before the meeting.

Councillors pointed out that this is not always possible and stated that Cllr Derek Hallett, who was not at the meeting, doesn't have a computer at home.

Cllr Ellis said: "We have not all had time to spend two or three hours to look at plans when we have other commitments.

"I don't think I am the only person who has not seen the plans."

After a planning application was quickly approved before Cllr Ellis could see any of the plans, when discussing the next application, Cllr Reynolds made a point of ensuring everyone read the plans on the screen - but Cllr Ellis took offence to this.

She said: "I think I am going to go home because I feel I am being got at.

"I am sorry but I object to being treated like that."

The deputy mayor then left the Guildhall chamber before slamming the door behind her.

The meeting continued after Cllr Ellis left the Guildhall.