Problem-hit council loses another clerk

A Shropshire parish councillor has resigned from her post claiming rules have restricted her from contributing to the village.

Glynnis Carr's resignation from West Felton Parish Council is the latest in a series of problems that the authority has faced in recent months.

A succession of parish clerks have resigned amid claims of bullying. As a result of the latest departure, one of the councillors is now acting clerk.

Mrs Carr sent a letter of resignation to council chairman David Curtis, in which she said she felt that issues surrounding the authority meant she could not continue.

She said: "There is so much misinformation. I just felt I wasn't contributing.

"My apologies to the members of the public. I would have loved to make a positive contribution."

In a letter to Mrs Carr parish chairman Mr Curtis said he was saddened she felt the council had not lived up to expectations.

He pointed out that the council had been "on the brink of being disbanded" as a result of issues with clerks.

He wrote: "We have struggled through this difficult time largely through the goodwill of a councillor who, in his limited spare time, has covered the essentials as acting parish clerk to allow the council to function.

"With a leaning towards common sense and a need to drastically reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, the council has followed practices, basing decisions upon a simple majority system which has been endorsed by The National Association of Local Councils. "

He said they were just desperately trying to keep the parish council on track.