Ex-Shifnal council clerk wins £19,000 payout

A Shropshire town council has been ordered to pay out almost £19,000 after losing a tribunal brought by its former clerk for constructive unfair dismissal.

Peter Hurlstone, 68, called on members to resign from Shifnal Town Council after a panel in Birmingham ruled yesterday he deserved compensation after being treated unfairly.

Shifnal mayor Ron Jowett said the £18,924.33 awarded to Mr Hurlstone would come out of the public purse.

A full council meeting will now be called to discuss how to pay the money.

Mr Hurlstone had claimed he was forced to quit as clerk after 20 years' service following a letter from Councillor Adam Teecey accusing him of stealing oak panelling from the town's former magistrates court.

He said the letter was distributed to other members by Councillor Eileen Briscoe and discussed at a behind-closed-doors meeting, but nothing was done to challenge it.

The chartered surveyor said: "I am very pleased that the matter has now been concluded. Councillors Briscoe and Teecey, by their actions, have effectively cost the council taxpayers of Shifnal nearly £19,000.

"They should consider their positions, do the honourable thing and resign from the town council."

Councillor Jowett said he was "saddened and dismayed" the matter had been taken as far as an employment tribunal, especially as the money would be coming out of the public purse.