THE Opposition PNP is cautioning the prime minister on his stance on the Portmore Municipal Council (PMC), urging him not to take a high-handed approach to dealing with the dispute there.

Local government spokesman Colin @#$an said today that the prime ministers threat to dissolve the council is an unwarranted approach to a situation that can be handled in council.

The prime minister made the threat recently, warning the historic council that he would dissolve the body responsible for Jamaica's first directly elected mayor if it continues to break the law.

Golding's threat came as a long-standing row between the council and the Attorney General's Office, concerning voting by chairmen of committees, appeared to be have reached stalemate.

But @#$an said that upon conclusion of a meeting held today with PNP councillors, they were viewing the prime ministers comments with deep suspicion.

I met with a group of councillors from the PMC today to ventilate the issues. From what they have said there is more to this matter than initially meets the eye, @#$an said.

At the base of the contention is what some have described as a typographical error regarding the authority of the mayor with respect to having an original and casting vote on matters that come before the general council. As a body the municipality sought and received an opinion from the Attorney General. That opinion confirmed that the council and committees of council were acting properly with respect to chairmen of committees having an original and casting vote as obtains in other parish councils.

He said the general council had given instructions for a declaration to be sought from the courts and the next sitting of the council will obtain an update as to that process.

"It would therefore be quite premature for the prime minister to be taking the position that he did, @#$an said.

The PMC next meets on Wednesday, July 14, at which time the matter will be discussed.

It is hoped that the prime minister will allow the council to do what it has been elected to do and resolve the impasse that has developed, @#$an said.