Councillors were split over the decision to adopt a new civility and respect pledge which one member branded as "nonsense" that would not "make any difference".

After a lengthy debate at the most recent Kenilworth Town Council meeting councillors eventually voted in favour of a new set of commitments to treat each other, staff and the public "with civility and respect".

But with KTC also adopting a new dignity at work policy in the same meeting, some members said there was no need to add a second scheme.

Cllr John Cooke said: "We have agreed all these things, we agreed them all when we stand to be a councillor. 

"How many more times have we got to agree with them? Seriously, how many more times? 

"I just think it is nonsense, to keep on doing it, it might make everyone feel better, but it doesn't make any difference."

Cllr Michael Coker said: "I really don't see the point."

He added: "In my close to 50 years on this council I don't recall coming across any of the things given as examples, so I don't think we need it. 

"It's not that I object to it, it's just we have always done it, why shouldn't we do it, we are expected to do it. And quite frankly passing a resolution is mainly window dressing." 

An amendment to postpone the decision until a new council is elected next May was rejected only on the mayor's casting vote.

And councillors eventually resolved to adopt the policy - drawn up by The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and One Voice Wales (OVW) - on a split decision.

"I think it is very important to have these things written down, it does concentrate everybody's mind to what is respectful," Cllr Alix Dearing said.

While Cllr Alan Chalmers added: "I think this is not just for us, it is to give the public confidence that we are prepared to agree to this, and we act with a professional attitude. 

"We are saying to the public that we are agreeing to make this pledge."