A NORTH Yorkshire local authority is in turmoil today amid veiled accusations of bullying and claims and counter-claims of rule-breaking.

Fifteen councillors from Richmondshire District Council have signed a motion calling for an election to replace council leader John Blackie.

The motion, put forward by the Independent Coalition for Richmondshire, criticises Coun Blackie for his "confrontational approach".

It also suggests officers have been bullied and harassed by councillors.

A second motion claims Coun Blackie, and four other Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors, broke council procedures by releasing to the Press their own motion, criticising the council's chief executive, Harry Tabiner, and monitoring officer, Margaret Barry.

The coalition motions state: "This council deplores the conduct of the council leader and four other councillors in questioning the integrity and judgement of two senior officers, not following the council's policy and procedures and circulating the motion widely to the P ress; and regrets and rejects the attempt in the motion to undermine the good working relationship which exists between officers and members.

"This council regrets the confrontational approach widely adopted by the leader in his relationship with officers; condemns totally any bullying or harassment by any council member against any employee of the council; and calls for an election to be held forthwith for the position of council leader for the remainder of the municipal year 2005-2006."

The motion will be discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday.

The original motion, signed by Conservatives Mr Blackie, Wendy Morton and Liberal Democrats John Harris, Stuart Parsons and Sheila Clarke, said officers' treatment of the new coalition party, which now has control of the council, broke the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

It also claimed that the public perception was that the council was run by officers.

This motion was thrown out by council chairman Councillor Campbell Dawson.

Last night, Coun Blackie said it was senior officers' judgement, not integrity, that was in question.

Defending his position as leader, he said: "I reject any allegation of bullying, implied or otherwise.

"The (Audit Commission's) Comprehensive Performance Assessment recognised me as a strong leader and recognised that I am an asset to the council.

"I don't go out of my way to seek confrontation, but there are times when you have to stand up and be counted."