A Sinn Féin motion urging members not to take part in the District Policing Partnerships was passed by Newry and Mourne District Council last night.
Under the new arrangements, every local authority will set up DPPs along the same lines as the Policing Board, with elected representatives and independent members included. Newry and Mourne's decision is the first time a council has refused to endorse the plans.
The motion was passed by 12 to 9 after all but one of Sinn Féin's councillors turned up for the vote.
A total of nine unionist, SDLP and independent councillors failed to show. Mr Charlie Casey, one of the republicans present, said his party will not take part in any "toothless" authority that cannot hold the Police Service of Northern Ireland to account.
Ulster Unionist representative Mr Danny Kennedy claimed Sinn Féin had put the motion forward in a bid to embarrass the SDLP on the first anniversary of its decision to join the board.
Unionists and SDLP members are confident the decision will be reversed at a full meeting scheduled for September 2nd.
If the council still stays outside Secretary of State John Reid could declare it in default and instruct the Policing Board to appoint suitable members.
PA