A leading Tory has branded the new Reform administration at Lancashire County Council "clowns" as they push for a referendum over a local government shake-up.
Councillor Andrew Gardiner said going to a public vote on a reorganisation of local authorities would "cost a load of money".
Councillor Gardiner, speaking at a Lancaster City Council meeting, said "the clowns running county want to stop everything" and called for district councils to "boycott the county council" and deal directly with government minister Jim McMahon.
This came after Stephen Atkinson, the new Reform UK leader of the county council, said that "people need to be consulted" on the government's wish to merge areas where there are two-tier local authorities.
The plans could see Lancaster City Council scrapped and would also affect the future of Lancashire County Council and smaller parish councils such as Morecambe Town Council.
Councillor Gardiner, leader of the Conservative group on the city council, spoke during the council leader's report at a meeting held at Morecambe Town Hall on Thursday.
Addressing Councillor Caroline Jackson, the Green leader of Lancaster City Council, he said: "If we don't discuss proposals with different councils and with the government, we will end up being left behind, and clearly that is the idiot running (the county council)'s idea at the moment.
"Can you tell this chamber what we are doing to make sure that this council is in discussion with as many people as possible to achieve a successful movement and take us forward into the unitary process?"
Councillor Jackson (below) replied: "Referendums are very expensive so I don't know how they can afford it.
"On local government reorganisation, I'm not very keen on it but that doesn't mean you don't get involved, because you have to.
"District (councils) have been working together, and with the combined authority, but that's stopped at the moment because of the change at county level.
"Because of that, the districts have a workshop in Chorley, and we are going to work out our point of view together.
"We are going to explore the consequences and people's wishes, a proper human process.
"There is intensive work going on at the chief executive level. It will look at both the three-unitary and four-unitary model.
"Yes we are totally and utterly involved."
Councillor Gardiner, who lost his county council seat in the May elections, responded: "We need to be in a position to move forward positively for the people of Lancaster and the whole of Lancashire.
"The clowns running county want to stop everything. And as you've already stated, a referendum would cost a load of money and they're stating they trying to cut costs. Clearly they don't understand."
He then called for district councils in Lancashire to deal directly with Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, and "boycott the county council".
"The county are providing information that we need," replied Councillor Jackson.
"They're not stopping things happening and we can still talk to Blackburn and Blackpool. It's down to us to get on with it. I'm not going to call them clowns. It will be an honest, frank discussion. No one authority can stop it."
County Councillor Atkinson, speaking last week at a Lancashire Combined County Authority meeting, said: "Reform's position is that people need to be consulted, so it's not about personal thoughts and beliefs on these big issues that have a profound impact on Lancashire families, they really need to have their say."
He said the position “should become clear” after he met with Mr McMahon.
Beyond Radio contacted Reform UK and was referred to Lancashire County Council for comment.
"We are pleased to report that a meeting was held promptly between the leader of Lancashire County Council, Councillor Stephen Atkinson, and Minister Jim McMahon," said a county council spokesperson on Monday.
"There was an open and detailed discussion on the important topics of local government reorganisation and mayoral devolution.
"We await a letter confirming the key conclusions of the meeting and next steps."
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to council leaders and said "effective collaboration" would be "crucial" ahead of a November deadline to submit plans for how they will work together.
Council leaders had been given a March deadline to submit initial plans for how they will reorganise themselves into new authorities, but could not reach an agreement.
The government announced its plans to introduce large mayoral combined authorities as part of a devolution white paper in December 2024.
Labour's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner pledged to end "micromanaging by central government" and said she wanted every region of England to have a mayor.
Proposals could see the Lancaster and Morecambe District merged with Blackpool unitary and Wyre district councils, and possibly Fylde, or Preston Council and Ribble Valley.
Residents of the Lancaster and Morecambe District are served by Lancashire County Council, whose services include roads, schools and social care; Lancaster City Council whose responsibilities include collecting bins, street cleaning and several parks and public buildings; and parish councils including Morecambe Town Council which has the contract for weeding services districtwide, and provides grants to local organisations and events.
Reform UK won the majority of seats at the Lancashire County Council elections in May to win control of the council from the Conservatives.
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