Thurso Community Council has ceased operating following the resignation of one of its members in protest over the way it was being run.
Alexander Glasgow, who has served on the body for eight years, stepped down claiming the community council was failing to take on board his suggestions.
His resignation means the community council now has only six elected members – too few to function.
Under the rules, the community council has to go into abeyance until Highland-wide elections take place in November.
One former colleague said Mr Glasgow had been difficult to work with but added that they did not know the reasons behind his resignation.
But Mr Glasgow identified a number of points of contention for his reason to step down.
He claimed his proposals for winter resilience planning as well as food and holiday activity clubs for children had not been taken up.
And he also said the community council had saved £8,000 which should have been spent in the area.
“I tried to get support for a food club and holiday activities for school children but they were rejected,” Mr Glasgow said.
“There is no provision for holiday food activities.
“I had been willing to lead on winter resilience, putting grit on paths. A lot of opportunities have been lost to improve Thurso.
“We had amassed over £8,000 in our bank account.
“It could have been spent on grass cutting, Christmas decorations, flower baskets, but it wasn’t being spent on anything.
“There was a perception that we were a secret society and that has been said by quite a few people on social media.”
Mr Glasgow said he knew that his resignation would put the community council into abeyance, so he had waited until elections to form a new community council were on the horizon.
Mike Potts, who has just stepped down as chairman, said: “We are on summer holiday and when we resume we have an election.
“Mr Glasgow has played his cards very carefully, but he’s a pain.
“He goes off the beaten track and he’s always on some different issue that causes consternation, I’m sorry to say.”
Mr Potts added: “I am aware what’s going on. But I haven’t been officially told. I have had no communication. Nobody has been to see me.”
