AT a heated Annual Town Meeting in May, the then mayor of Minehead Cllr Jean Parbrook was accused by a member of the public of harassment, and told that a complaint had gone into the police.

Following the meeting, the County Gazette obtained a crime reference number in relation to the allegation, and police confirmed they were investigating the matter.

The County Gazette has now received a statement from Avon and Somerset Police stating: “In relation to an allegation of harassment, we’ve investigated the circumstances and there is no evidence of a criminal offence taking place. No further action will be taken.” 

Cllr Parbrook has written for the County Gazette, defending the work of Minehead Town Council and explaining how the allegation has impacted on her and her family.

“For six months, certain councillors on Minehead Town Council have been subjected to a campaign of bullying, lies and intimidation.

“We are continually accused of being corrupt and posters with ‘where has all the money gone?’ displayed outside our meeting, despite there being absolutely no evidence to support these wild assertions. 

“The Town Council has a very healthy bank balance. I have had false allegations made against me to the Standards Committee and police, and other Conservative councillors have been similarly treated.

“Town councillors are not paid; many of them work extremely hard for the good of Minehead.

“During my three year tenure as mayor, the council has gained the funding for a new community building at Irnham Road Recreation Ground which will start to be built this year. 

“We have taken over most of the toilets from West Somerset Council and saved them from closure, entered into a partnership to save the Town Bus, written and instituted a Flood Plan for Minehead.

“We have sold the Market House and moved the council into a disability friendly office, and addressed the Spanish practices which were inhibiting our workforce from keeping Minehead beautiful, and we have started a modernisation programme. 

“Are these actions of a corrupt council?

“If you choose to be a councillor, you must expect to receive some flack but the false accusation of harassment made against me and members of my family at the Annual Town Meeting in May have upset my elderly mother-in-law who has memory issues and my brain-injured son whose condition causes him to worry disproportionately. 

“The first I knew that the police were involved was when a reporter from the County Gazette phoned me for a comment.

"The resulting front page article, although factually correct, impugned my reputation and I welcome this opportunity to reply.

“I have not been interviewed in connection with this allegation nor have my family; I have had no official communications from the police either to tell me that an investigation was happening or that it had been concluded without any action. 

“To be found innocent is no consolation.”