Oakengates town clerk wins tribunal case over sacking
A clerk who was fired from his job at a town council in Shropshire has won his case at employment tribunal after it agreed he was unfairly dismissed.
Michael Gledhill, 62, was awarded more than £2,500 in compensation after a tribunal in Shrewsbury yesterday ruled unanimously that his dismissal from Oakengates Town Council in February last year had been unfair procedurally.
He was offered his job back but declined due to a breakdown in relations. But his payout was reduced by 75 per cent due to his conduct and 'unhelpful' manner.
The award also included an extra five per cent to cover a breach of the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary procedures.
Mr Gledhill said after the tribunal: "The primary reason for bringing it to the tribunal was to clear my name. I am satisfied. However, I think the reduction was unfair because of their lack of understanding of the work of parish and town councils."
The six-day hearing heard he had started work at the town council in 2009. In January 2011, the town council began negotiations to buy a property in Market Street to develop a community centre. It was agreed that details of the scheme would be included in a bi-annual newsletter only if the contracts had been exchanged before it was printed.
But Mr Gledhill sent out the newsletter with details of the purchase before contracts were exchanged, saying 'on my head be it'. Concerns were also raised that the council, advised by Mr Gledhill, was acting beyond its powers in buying the centre.
Mr Gledhill was suspended on full pay and internal investigations were held. Mr Gledhill later lost an appeal.
Employment judge David Dimbylow said the methods used in the investigations were lacking in transparency.
The council was expected to make a statement later today.
