A row has broken out over the use of election posters on lamp-posts and council property on the eve of the North Coast by-election.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall has called for special meeting of North Ayrshire on Friday over concerns about the promotion of election posters.

In April this year, all posters from lamp-posts and council properties were banned, but a row has broken out as posters are now allowed for the forthcoming by-election on Thursday 30 October.

However, North Ayrshire Council have apparently lifted the ban, say the Conservatives, but the council say that the decision taken on April 2 only applied to the Referendum and European elections.

The Conservatives have hit out at the move and say that they have been ‘misled’ by council officials, and say they are going to challenge it at Friday’s special meeting. The local Tories argue that the actual minute of the meeting held on April 2 makes no stipulation about the Euro and independence referendum.

The special meeting has to be called by eight members of the council.

The following is an extract from the Council minute of 2 April which shows that the amendment proposed by Councillor Marshall that “the Council do not allow the display of campaign posters on council property” won out and as the minute states – “Accordingly the Council agreed not to allow the display of campaign posters on Council property”.

Although the first paragraph of the minute refers to the European Parliamentary Election and Independence Referendum, the Conservatives argue that the final amendment agreed and minuted made no such stipulation.

The Conservativies have been seconded by Donald Reid of the Labour Party, and also have the backing of the independents.

The item on the agenda was about European and referendum campaigns, but the motion, which was passed was for all elections, claims Cllr, Marshall ‘and that was clearly understood by the 24 members who were present at that meeting, and particularly by the 13 who voted in favour of it.’ He added: “There was no doubt in our mind that was the view of the meeting - no more campaign posters forever.” SNP Councillor Alan Hill, depute leader of North Ayrshire Council said: “I am disappointed, but not surprised, at the attitude of Labour and Tory councillors over this issue. As the SNP expands it’s membership exponentially, the other parties contract.

“Never mind posters, the other parties can hardly get volunteers to deliver leaflets or man polling stations. As far as I can see, Labour Party now consists almost entirely of people who depend on it for a living!

“The electoral commission, I believe, is in favour of the use of posters and other methods of improving turnout. Readers can make up their own minds about who it is that wants to shutdown the democratic process locally.” A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The item of business on the council agenda in April 2014 related to the policy for the display of campaigning materials on street furniture for the European Election and Scottish Independence Referendum.

“The arrangements for the by-election issued to candidates and their agents make it clear that at present, campaign material is allowed on lampposts and other street furniture, subject to the usual conditions.

“However, this policy may change on Friday, depending on the decision following the special council meeting.”