Former Uckfield mayor 'removed' from committees
.jpg "Former Uckfield mayor 'removed' from committees")
Former Uckfield mayor, town councillor Len Ashby, is to be "removed immediately" as a representative of the council from all committees, working parties and external bodies on which he sits.
Uckfield Town Council has issued the following statement:
"Following an incident at Uckfield Festival Day in July 2009 involving Councillor Ashby and an employee of the Town Council, a complaint was made to the Standards Committee of Wealden District Council.
"The decision of the Standards Committee was that Councillor Ashby was in breach of the Code of Conduct and should apologise to the member of staff concerned.
"An unsatisfactory apology was made; Councillor Ashby then lodged a complaint against the employee under the Council’s adopted procedure.
"This was investigated by an independent person with a recommendation that appropriate awareness be developed in councillor / employee working relationships.
"The Council is aware that it has a duty of care and responsibilities to its staff under employment law, and it is very conscious that the thoughtless actions of one councillor can put the Council at risk of action leading to an employment tribunal.
"As an attempt to try to reach understanding and take matters forward in a positive way, the Mayor invited Councillor Ashby for a discussion with Committee Chairmen but he chose not to attend.
"Faced with apparent reluctance by Councillor Ashby to discuss matters sensibly, the Council has been left with little option.
"At an Extraordinary Meeting of the Town Council on 8th March 2011 it was agreed that as a measure of censure Councillor Ashby be removed immediately from all committees, working parties and external bodies upon which he represents the Council."
Here is a report of the Wealden Council Standards Committee which considered a complaint against Cllr Ashby.
See also:
£15,000 ring found in Uckfield High Street
(Added to site Thursday, March 10th, 2011)
