Council contributing to controversy, no doubt (5)
I believe the answer is:
synod
'council' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'contributing to controversy no doubt' is the wordplay.
'contributing to' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'SYNOD' can be found hidden inside 'controversy no doubt'.
(Other definitions for synod that I've seen before include "Ecclesiastic council" , "Clerical assembly" , "Forum for discussing" , "Council of bishops" , "Ecclesiastical gathering" .)