A senior councillor was ordered to keep silent after a row broke out at the town hall amid alleged “disorderly conduct” at the latest full council meeting.

On Wednesday, opposition chief whip, Conservatives Cllr Toby Hewitt, stood to address the executive cabinet member for climate change and environment, Cllr Richard Silvester, on the green bin collections at Eagley village.

Cllr Hewitt’s opening statement addressed concerns regarding the council’s recent consultations on introducing charges for garden waste from green bins from houses across Bolton.

If approved, the charge will apply to households that opt to have their garden waste collected, with a proposed fee of £45 a year for 25 pickups a year.

Addressing the meeting, Cllr Hewitt said: “The decision to consult didn’t come before cabinet or before an executive cabinet member via report, not at a scrutiny committee hearing, not at a policy development group.

“It wasn’t proposed to councillors via discussion or debate [but] via press release.

“I ask the councillors for help to rectify the gap that has formed in this service for local residents.”

At that point, borough solicitor Helen Gorman interjected to clarify that councillors cannot ask additional questions to those on the meeting agenda.

She said: “You can’t ask a question about when an executive cabinet member decided to charge for green waste or to consult on it.

(Image: Newsquest)

“You can only ask a question which is on the order paper.”

Cllr Hewitt's initial question posed Cllr Silvester to “reassure the over 100 residents, who are about to learn by letter they are having their green bin taken away, that this service will continue to be delivered".

“And [also] give an assurance to work with local councillors to ensure residents will get their green bin service back and the service they have come to expect?”

The proposed charges come just months after controversial changes were announced to bin collections across the borough last month.

Opposition councillors have already condemned the proposal as a "garden tax" which attacks people like pensioners who have already lost out through winter fuel payment cuts.

Following the warning from Ms Gorman, Cllr Hewitt defended his statements.

He said: “There are standing orders, I believe, borough solicitor, you can correct me if I’m wrong.

“When material facts change after the formal submission of a deadline.”

His response was met with jeers from Labour councillors with many urging him to get to “the point” of his written question.

Ms Gorman added: “That’ll be a no, Cllr Hewitt.”

Cllr Hewitt continued: “There is a gap that has formed, thinking that the green bins have purposefully stopped being collected in Astley Bridge.

“But having seen the new context in the reduction - I am getting to the question on the order paper, Mr [deputy] mayor (Mohammed Ayub).”

As a result of the “disorder”, a rarely used Section 25 order was imposed on the councillor relating to disorderly conduct.

This specific order comes into effect “if a member misconducts themselves by persistently disregarding the ruling if the chair or by behaving irregularly, improperly or offensively or by wilfully obstructing the business of the council".

It also allows the mayor, the council or any other member to move that the member named may not be further heard.

Should the “disruptive” councillor persist once the motion is passed, they may be made to leave the meeting, or the meeting will be adjourned until they agree to exit.

Addressing the council, Cllr David Wilkinson said: “It’s disappointing to you, Mr deputy mayor, that a member of this council ignored your ruling.

“No matter what the question was, no matter what the political debate was. My personal point of view is that the member who ignored your ruling should get up, have the decency to apologise to you as the chair of this council meeting and ask for the forgiveness of the council.”

The majority of councillors voted to pass the motion regarding Cllr Hewitt’s statements, which was immediately put into effect for the duration of the meeting.

The proposal can be found by going to chargeable garden waste removal consultation on the active consultations section of the council's website.