An extraordinary meeting has taken place at Madeley Parish Council over the controversial painting of a memorial bench and fish sculpture.

Councillors have now agreed to refer the matter to Newcastle Borough Council's Monitoring Officer over concerns that the council has been brought into disrepute.

The row erupted earlier this month when a bench and fish sculpture, which had been carved from a 200 year old chestnut tree, was painted, covering its natural wood finish.

The bench was later dedicated to former mayor Barry Panter who died in a car crash.

The bench and sculpture were carved by North Wales chainsaw artist, Rob Dalton from Dalton Wood. During the meeting, parish council chairman Jamie Stephenson said the parish council had been in touch with the artist who said they would be happy to look at the work and expected that some recarving would be needed.

However, they said that if further significant changes were made to the sculptures, they would like their name removed

A number of residents alleged during the meeting that parish councillor David Whitmore and parish and borough councillor Jill Whitmore were behind the painting of the sculptures.

Councillor Jill Whitmore said she had been advised not to comment further at this time as the matter is with the Monitoring Officer at Newcastle Borough Council.

During the meeting a number of residents spoke out against the painting of the sculptures.

One told the meeting: "I think it's an insult to the original sculpture that they didn't contact him for advice and he's just gone ahead and done it.

"Some people say it looks pretty; most people say, me included, it looks hideous, it's an eyesore. What we need to do is rectify it."

Another resident said: "I see that sculpture every day and I was dismayed when I saw it, I was gutted when I saw the bench. I kind of got used to seeing them. Now the sculpture is garish and horrible."

More than 50 residents attended the meeting where a vote was held on whether the bench and sculpture should be restored. Just one resident voted to keep them as they are.

Speaking following the meeting, resident Jessica Wood said: "I don't know why they didn't consult over what residents wanted.

"I don't think it looks as bad as people are making out but the fact is nobody wanted it to change. It stands out, it's not in keeping with the area and overall it's not as good as the original, so why change it?"

Despite the project being started at a parish council level, Newcastle Borough Council has claimed responsibility for the bench and sculpture.

The spokesperson said that they understand the work was carried out in good faith and added that whether the bench and sculpture should be painted or wood stained was a local matter which should be debated.

Previously a spokesman for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: "As the bench and sculpture stand on our land we have inherited the ongoing responsibility for them, however to all intents and purposes we regard this as the personal project of some Madeley parish councillors, paid for by the parish council, in memory of a former friend and colleague, the late Mayor.

"We understand that the recent work has been carried out by members of the community acting by themselves in good faith – and that the work is still to be completed.

"We think the debate as to whether the bench and sculpture should be painted, or wood stained, is very much a local matter. We are happy for the artist and community to debate this and reach a conclusion."

Following the views expressed by residents, the parish council agreed to refer the matter to the Monitoring Officer at Newcastle Borough Council over concerns that the council had been brought into disrepute.

It will also write to the borough council to say that the overwhelming feeling among residents was that the bench and sculpture should be restored and ask whether it would pay for the restoration.

The parish council also agreed to seek quotes for the restoration from Dalton Wood.

If the borough council does not agree to pay for the work, councillors will consider alternative sources of funding, including asking David and Jill Whitmore for contributions.