Councillors have been accused of putting the famous charms of Dolly Parton before democracy after agreeing to delay an important meeting so that they can meet the star.

The 61-year-old country singer has chosen Rotherham as the surprise setting to introduce her children’s literacy scheme, the Imagination Library, on Wednesday.

Quite what has attracted her to this unremarkable South Yorkshire town is a mystery. Wagging tongues claim that it may be down to Roger Stone, the Labour-led council leader, and his love of country and western. He paid a visit to Nashville last year on official council and chamber of commerce business.

He was reluctant to discuss the subject yesterday, saying that all would be revealed “in due course”.

Rotherham is preparing to welcome Parton. It is the decision to put back a council meeting so that councillors can rub shoulders with her at a lunch that has caused anger. Tony Mannion, an independent councillor, is outraged, claiming that his colleagues have been blinded by the singer’s allure, to the detriment of vital council business.

“I’m boycotting the lunch and I am outraged that democracy is being put on hold because of a celebrity,” Mr Mannion told The Times. “I have nothing against Dolly Parton. Not that I know much about her except that she sang 9 to 5. That’s about the top and bottom of my knowledge. And I think the literacy scheme is a good idea. My objection is over the timing. We have vital business to discuss, for example the siting of a power station in the middle of a nature reserve. And we have few enough council meetings as it is.

“I’ve spoken to the Labour leader. Apparently, he’s a Dolly Parton fan. I suppose my complaints will fall on deaf ears and that some might say it’s a storm in a D-cup, or double D-cup. But it’s the principle.

“I couldn’t possibly eat a free lunch anyway, not after the council has increased the charge for meals on wheels and cut the amount given to Age Concern.”

Mr Stone insisted that the decision to delay the meeting by one hour from 2pm to 3pm was perfectly reasonable and that his personal musical tastes had nothing to do with Parton’s invitation. “It’s being said I’m this fanatical country and western fan. Well, I do like country and western, but I like all sorts of music, like Elvis, for example, because I’m of that age,” he said. “I admire Dolly Parton, but that’s it. This is one man’s objection.”

Brian Cutts, a Conservative councillor, said that delaying the meeting was indicative of “the diminishing democracy we have here in Rotherham”, where Labour holds 54 of the 62 seats.

“What’s she called. Dolly Parkin? I know that she’s American and that she’s a thirsty-looking blonde – by that I mean attractive. And that she’s got a couple of wonderful attributes,” he said. “I wouldn’t claim to be an expert on her. I’m 75 and too old and out of date. I hear Councillor Stone is a fan and he likes to mix with celebrities.”

The Imagination Library involves posting children a reading book every month until the age of 5. Funded by the singer’s Dollywood Foundation, it has spread to 45 American states, but Rotherham is the first place to implement the scheme in Britain.

Parton has said that she was inspired to set up the scheme because of her own childhood experience as one of 12 children from a “dirt poor” family in Tennesse. “Literacy was a real problem in Tennesse and I saw first-hand the lifelong struggle that resulted from many of my friends and neighbours and the effect it had on them,” she has said.

Reg Littleboy, Rotherham Council’s Labour group secretary, said: “It’s a pity that Councillor Mannion has taken this attitude to what is a major event and has the potential to provide massive benefits for the town.”

Explore Music

• CD Reviews

• Live Reviews

• Classical

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010