Weston-super-Mare has scrapped its plans to become a "Council of Sanctuary" town for refugees after significant backlash.
The proposal was approved in March to pursue the scheme - which is designed to "signpost" asylum seekers to services.
But since the decision was made, it has faced backlash similar to protests which took place over the summer.
Outside a council meeting on Monday, more than 100 protesters gathered chanting "send them home".
Weston-super-Mare has axed plans to become an asylum 'sanctuary' after concerned residents protested
|GETTY
Caroline Reynolds, the Liberal Democrat councillor who had originally proposed joining the scheme, claimed other councillors had been swayed by "misinformation and misunderstanding", adding she felt "disappointed".
However, Labour councillor James Clayton said: "We don't need a badge, we don't need a certificate, we are a welcoming town, we've proven that historically and we'll continue to prove that in future."
He added that joining "would be binding ourselves to rules and expectations written elsewhere".
Mr Clayton continued: "What I'm against is for an external organisation to dictate to Weston-super-Mare how we should behave or how we should demonstrate our compassion.
PICTURED: Weston-super-Mare beach. An online survey set up by the seaside town's council revealed residents' fears over crime, shortages of housing and GP service access
|PA
"We already know how to look after one another, we already understand what it means to be a good neighbour and just signing up to a scheme is replacing general local goodwill with ticking boxes and bureaucracy."
This was disputed by City of Sanctuary UK, which runs the scheme. It said it does not tell authorities what to do.
The scheme has already been joined by more than 100 councils, and costs £150 to sign up to for three years.
The charity's website says: "From community groups to schools and universities, local councils to libraries and theatres, we work with individuals, groups and organisations in every area and in every sector to encourage inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people from a forced displacement background."
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While trying to get feedback on the proposal, an online survey set up by Weston Town Council revealed residents' fears surrounding crime, shortages of housing and GP service access.
The majority of residents expressed their opposition against the plan, with 339 in opposition compared to just 92 supporting the proposal.
Ahead of the May 1 local elections, Reform UK's West of England mayoral candidate Arron Banks shared an email from a "concerned mother" from the council saying it wanted "to be a sanctuary town for refugees".
"They say people against it, are a minority, displaying prejudice and intolerance," Mr Banks fumed. "The silent majority need to vote Reform on May 1 and sort these b******s out."
'The silent majority need to vote Reform on May 1 and sort these b******s out,' Arron Banks blasted
| PAA petition which called for the scheme to be axed with 950 signatures was handed to the council in early August.
Weston Trades Council later organised a counter-petition.
Conservative councillor Gill Bute said it would be inappropriate for the proposal to go ahead, before adding: "As councillors we are only in the roles we're in because we've been voted in by people."
Labour councillor Clayton concurred and said: "As a town we're not in a place to adopt this."
The financial and general purposes committee agreed that the plan should be grounded to a halt.
The committee called on the council to "further pursue harmony between people... without becoming part of the Council of Sanctuary".
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