Sully Community Council chairman resigns over row about suspended clerk

There are now calls to dissolve the membership of Sully and Lavernock Community Council or wind it up all together after Steve Oaten announced he was resigning.

In a statement Mr Oaten said he had “had enough” over the conduct of some members of the community council over the ongoing suspension of council clerk David Roberts.

David Roberts

Mr Roberts has been suspended for 16 months on full pay after five councillors voted to suspend him on September 27, 2017. Since then an acting clerk has been hired by the council.

Among the allegations against Mr Roberts are that he had adult images on his work computer and that he was using the computer to do non-council work, according to internal reports seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Leaked emails also seen by the LDRS show councillors were concerned the cost of the ongoing disciplinary situation could “bankrupt” the council with the wage bill projected to be £80,000 on March 31 – about half its expenditure.

A group of villagers and councillors are now understood to be calling for the council to be wound up or have its membership replaced.

Retired police officer Mr Oaten, who was elected to the council in March 2018, said in a statement: “I have had enough. I am disappointed at the way that some members of the community council have conducted themselves since my election as councillor and chair.

“To find out recently that there was some disquiet about the way that the

matter of the suspended clerk was being dealt with and the proposed actions of a few councillors have left me with no choice.

“Some people have very short memories. I was not involved in the suspension of the clerk. The suspension was the action of the majority of the community council in post at that time. I was then left to deal with the suspension and relevant misconduct matters.

“I have dealt with the suspended clerk in line with the wishes of the council whilst taking legal advice and guidance. I can do no more than that.

“I am also mortified at the way that some members of the community council behave towards the temporary clerk. I have tried to address the issue but the overbearing conduct and behaviour continues. This community council needs to take a look at itself because at the moment it is not fit for purpose.

“I was more than happy to take up the challenge and thought that I would be able to help the community. I did feel that there was progress being made but I am not prepared to deal with unreasonable and selfish people who have their own agendas.”

Despite calling the council “not fit for purpose,” Mr Oaten told the LDRS he did not support the winding up of the council.

He said: “A well-run community council would be an asset. I don’t think we should get rid of it altogether.

“There are a few people that should consider their positions. It would be a better place should a few go and the council has a few new faces.

“I went into it with my eyes open. I knew I was going to inherit a disciplinary issue with the clerk. What I was not prepared for is the baggage that goes with that.

“We need a community council in Sully but with a different membership.”

One councillor, who wished not to be named, said Mr Oaten had been “shoddily treated”.

They said: “He has been stitched up, he’s a good bloke. Steve has not had the support of the council.”

Mr Roberts told the LDRS: “I am employed by Sully and Lavernock Community Council as their clerk. This is a personnel issue which is confidential.”

Sully and Lavernock Community Council did not respond to requests for comment.