A former council executive from the northwest of England claimed she was forced to resign as a result of bullying and harassment by councillors last week.
Jill Hunter worked as the executive and financial officer of Broughton Community Council (now Parish Council) for three years before she resigned in April.
Appearing before an employment tribunal in Carlisle, she said the main instigators of the bullying were councillors Brian Beck and Brian Lancaster, who wanted to replace her with a former parish clerk called Peter Wilson.
In a written statement, Ms Hunter described several instances of harassment by the councillors, including allegations that she failed to respond to letters and signed a cheque without authorisation.
Councillor Lancaster also ordered her to be quiet and refused her the opportunity to advise other councillors during meetings, which resulted in one meeting being abandoned.
She said: "I have been told in the past by Councillor Lancaster not to talk or interrupt him. I have also been told by Councillor Beck that I should be quiet because I was only at meetings to take minutes."
She also defended herself concerning allegations over cheques written outside of council meetings, which she says related to contractual payments that if left unpaid could have affected community service provision. The payments were always authorised by the chair and vice-chair of the council, she added.
Ms Hunter is claiming constructive dismissal and breach of contract against the council,.
The tribunal continues.
Links:
- Tribunal hears of campaign by parish councillors to get rid of clerk (Times & Star)
- Constructive dismissal law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Constructive dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Employment law Q&A (Community)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
