Residents refuse to leave Minehead Town Council meeting

New mayor Norman Hercock was forced to close the meeting after a 75-year-old resident started a sit-in.

The councillors vowed to enter a 'new era of transparency' after meeting to discuss an unauthorised payment.

An initial 'extraordinary' meeting was called on June 13 after it emerged the council had paid a financial settlement to a former employee, but it had not been properly authorised, according to an independent auditor's report.

The council and individual sought mediation through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and an agreement was made where the employee would pay what the auditor’s report described as a ‘significant sum’ as a financial settlement, without admission of liability.

The meeting was closed after less than five minutes after Cllr Terry Venner proposed postponed the meeting due to the lack of a qualified financial officer, due to the resignation of clerk Sue Sanders.

RELATED: Extraordinary Minehead Town Council meeting over disputed payment abruptly postponed

Around 60 people attended the next meeting, held today (June 22) at Minehead Social Club.

Cllr Venner again had qualms over the legality of the meeting, which was being held at an alcohol-serving venue, as well as there still not being a qualified officer present.

But Cllr Hercock assured the members it was legal and appropriate to continue with the meeting.

He continued to read out a statement regarding the issue.

He said: "In July 2017, two serving councillors from Minehead Town Council, made formal objections under Schedule 7 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act.

"In the guise of two electors of the area, they expressed concerns about governance and decision-making, primarily in relation to an employment dispute."

He explained how Grant Thornton, the council's auditors, had concluded a termination payment to the dismissed employee in 2016 did not comply with the council's finance regulations, and the payment should have been ratified during a full council meeting.

The former employee, who is protected under a confidentially clause, had alleged unfair dismissal.

Cllr Hercock said there would be no debate or questions after his statement, but the meeting quickly turned into a back-and-forth between Cllr Venner, and former mayor Cllr Jean Parbrook.

Cllr Parbrook said: "There is no reason the meeting can't take place. Cllr Venner is deliberately filibustering. We've taken extensive advice and there is nothing stopping us."

She accused Cllr Venner of not declaring a prejudicial interest in the matter, referring to the fact he is close friends with the employee who was 'paid off', to which he admitted.

She added the advice given to the council was to retroactively agree the money in a full council meeting privately held, then 'note' the decision at a following meeting.

She said: "We are a council that is in danger of being sued. We are a corporate body, and we should act as 'one'."

"We discussed this at full council on May 22, but we hadn't seen the auditors report," Cllr Venner said.

"We were debating something we knew nothing about.

"If we are 'one body', why did someone make the decision to pay off the employee without it being discussed in full council. Who took that decision?"

Cllr Parbook said she was prepared to take 'full personal responsibility' for the decisions regarding the dismissal.

She said: "I have no problem in taking personal responsibility. It was the correct thing to do, but we had poor advice.

"It was absolutely correct to do, and I will take the responsibility."

Cllr Hercock then told the room the 'matter was closed', before Cllr Maureen Smith proposed the council should upload the report to its website in order to begin a 'new era of transparency'.

But the transparency was short-lived as the mayor tried to exclude the press and public to discuss the final item on the agenda.

This was not welcomed by the residents who were at the meeting, as few vacated their seats on the mayors request.

Jeremy Burge, Minehead resident.

One resident, Jeremy Burge, 75, shouted from his seat: "Mr Mayor, I've paid taxes for 50 years. The members of the public have a right to listen.

"We've had enough of all the secrets. You're spending our money and spending it wrongly."

Cllr Hercock adjourned the meeting to wait for the residents to leave, but Mr Burge replied "I've got all day".

Another resident pointed out the meeting was in a public place, and the bar was open.

Cllr Hercock then abruptly closed the meeting in frustration, to which the residents chanted "get them out".