A motion that was set to reveal Deal Town Council’s stance on this summer’s European Union referendum has been labelled “ridiculous.”

Cllr Ben Bano tabled it at the full meeting on Tuesday, March 29 and recited a list of reasons why he thinks this country should stay in the EU.

It said: “The council believes that the economic prosperity of our area and the development of job opportunities for residents of Deal would be enhanced by our continued membership of the European Union.”

But the wording - which was heavily disagreed with by Conservative members - was set to tell the public how the council as a whole felt about it.

First to oppose it was Cllr Bob Frost, he said: “I do not have the arrogance to think I can take all of these things into consideration.

“This motion is ridiculous, let’s get on with pavements and dog fouling.”

'This motion is ridiculous, let’s get on with pavements and dog fouling.' - Cllr Bob Frost

Cllr Trevor Bond said: “We are now talking about what to believe in.

“I have been thinking one way or the other and this motion is making life a little bit difficult.

“I don’t know how I am going to vote at this stage and to make a decision now is completely inappropriate to indicate what we believe.”

Deputy mayor Cllr Wayne Elliott said: “We are here to represent the people of Deal and they will make their mind up and we are speaking for all of them if we agree on this.”

Labour councillor Peter Inch said: “We are the nearest town to the continent in the whole of Britain, we should talk about it.”

Cllr Bano said: “It is in the economic interest of employment not to leave the EU and I came to that view by talking to a lot of people.

“I think it is perfectly legitimate as it is a non-binding view.”

Despite the objection the motion was carried by seven votes.

The referendum on whether Britain should stay in or leave is set to be held on Thursday, June 23 and people will be able to vote in a similar way to that of the general election.