Council chairman quits over “systemic culture of bullying”

THE chairman of Frodsham Town Council has resigned from the council alleging  a “systemic culture of bullying.”
Cllr Mark Warren’s shock resignation – the details of which he says are private and personal – comes after four and-a-half years on the council – for most of which he has been chairman.
It comes into effect from Monday and follows the resignation,  two months ago,  of former clerk John Wild –  believed to be for similar reasons.
He said: “I am looking forward to being able to spend more time with my family. But I would like to apologise to the people of Lakes Ward who elected me thinking I would be serving a full term in office. I feel I have let them down.”
Overall, Cllr Warren said he had found being a councillor an exhilarating experience. He had great admiration and respect for individual councillors and the staff who carried out a great deal of useful work.
“I am just sorry I have not been able to protect the staff and councillors from bullying, which has come from both inside and outside the council.
“I have seen members of staff go home in tears.”
Cllr Warren said he had found it particularly frustrating that the council had few, if any, powers to take sanctions against councillors who breached the council’s code of conduct.
The last six months had been particularly stressful and the post of chairman had become almost a full-time job.  He compared much of his work during that time with “pig wrestling.”
He added: “I wish the council well. I want it to succeed. But I don’t think the people of Frodsham will look back on the council and feel it has left any particular legacy.”
Cllr Warren was the first chairman of the council. Prior to his election, meetings were chaired by the Mayor.  But it was decided to split the roles to give more opportunity for the Mayor to represent the council at ceremonial occasions.
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