An Isle of Wight town council clerk has resigned — after 13 years in the job — as he says allegations of bullying have been ignored for more than 6 months.
It is alleged 2 women, 1 of them not a member of Ventnor Town Council (VTC), had been bullied by a still-serving councillor.
David Bartlett said in his resignation letter to the Mayor, Steph Toogood, it was an incredible privilege to work for the ‘remarkable’ town but he could no longer work for a council that has, and still does, ignore the bullying allegations.
Formal complaints against the councillor had been raised with the Isle of Wight Council’s monitoring officer — who ensures councillors maintain the highest standards — but he decided not to act on them, it was said in the recent town council meeting.
At the meeting, the matter was brought to light by former deputy mayor, David George, who had seen a copy of Mr Bartlett’s resignation letter.
He said:
“I think something very unpleasant has happened in this council, someone stands accused of bullying 2 women and they remain a councillor.
“This issue casts a long shadow while it remains unresolved … this is a serious democratic issue if you are allowing this to continue.”
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Mayor Toogood responded by saying the monitoring officer has said it was ‘fiscally unviable’ to look into the complaints but in the way the system worked there was not really a way of resolving it.
The complaints had not been withdrawn, she said and they have to work to make things more harmonious.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Steve Cooper, chair of VTC’s HR Committee, said they would take any bullying allegations seriously, but it is a complex area to manage as some may perceive actions as bullying, and others don’t.
He said nothing nasty has occurred other than ‘the normal issues an organisation inevitably encounters when dealing and interacting with others’. Councillor Cooper said VTC had taken steps to address the issue, personally speaking with each councillor about how behaviour can be misinterpreted.
He said bullying, intimidation, undermining or belittling would not be tolerated at VTC as long as he was a serving member.
The town council unanimously agreed to sign the National Association of Local Council’s Civility and Respect pledge.
Mr Bartlett and Mayor Toogood declined to comment further.
The Isle of Wight Council was contacted on 19th April regarding the monitoring officer’s involvement, but no statement or clarification has been issued.
Typical, of course that won’t get investigated. Shady at best, developments handed out to another Toogood as well, funny that. Cronism is rife at VTC as well.
The council not acting on something don’t believe that they are normally on the ball……… NOT
They should all turn up to a meeting and walk out in solidarity leaving the councillor in question on his own! There is no excuse for not investigating bullying.
Michele totally agree with you, but part of being a councillor is being good at the art of smoke and mirrors .. years ago town councils had councillors who did their best always for the town, … but sadly these days .. it’s all about “what is in it for them .. “ so a waste of space !!
Typical of a town council all amateurs… always a pantomime..
Council’s are.secrative and corrupt, always have been, and always will be….
Must be contagious. Sounds like the same kind of hectoring that is afflicting Yarmouth Town Council.