Members of outside organisations will not be allowed to be on Cromer Town Council committees, amid fears it would set a 'dangerous precedent'.
At Monday's meeting, it was proposed that people from groups like Cromer Preservation Society and the Georgian Society could join sub-committees as non-voting members to offer advice and expertise.
The council took advice from North Norfolk District Council legal manager Roger Howe, who said the move was acceptable, so long as ex-officio members did not have a vote.
But the idea was soundly defeated as councillors made their views known.
Jim Bond said: 'Cromer Preservation Society is a special interest group. They are not advising, they are putting their viewpoint forward.
'They are outside the council and are entitled - like any member of the public - to put their views. To bring them in gives them a quasi-official status. I think it's a dangerous precedent.
'I don't see why these groups are any more special than anyone else.'
Keith Johnson said: 'If these people were that interested in the workings of the council they would put themselves up for election and get on the council that way.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here