the disputes were making the town look foolish in the eyes of the rest of the county and he said it would be advantageous if there was a total re-election and the council started again with a new set of councillors.

By Richard Smith

A COUNCILLOR upset by the “petty squabbles” disrupting town council affairs in a Suffolk seaside town has resigned.

Malcolm Walker, a town councillor in Aldeburgh for 12 years and the chairman of the sports committee, has quit the town council and called upon it to behave better.

Mr Walker told the town council: “It is with great regret and after considerable deliberation that I have decided to resign.

“I have been finding it increasingly difficult to conduct the business of the sports committee of late and cannot tolerate the constant confrontations that seem to develop over every proposal I put forward.

“Communication seems to have broken down and I receive none whatsoever from other councillors.

“I am deeply disappointed that I will not get to see the Kemps Field project through; I trust you will find an enthusiastic replacement, and I will of course provide any relevant information and experience if called upon.

''I must say I am not entirely happy with the recent behaviour of the council, but this is coincidental with my desire to leave and you must draw your own conclusions.

“After 12 years I wish to pursue other interests and concentrate on my work. However, there may come a time in the future when I might put my name forward to serve the town again.''

The mayor, John Digby, paid tribute to the service of Mr Walker on the town council and he said he had put in a lot of hard work in his capacity as sports committee chairman.

Mr Walker, a self employed piano tuner of Leiston Road, Aldeburgh, said yesterday the disputes were making the town look foolish in the eyes of the rest of the county and he said it would be advantageous if there was a total re-election and the council started again with a new set of councillors.

The latest dispute came when the town council told the long-serving clerk, Andrew Harris, that he would have to retire at the age of 65.

Mr Walker said that the decision to change the locks on the Moot Hall offices when the clerk was forced to retire was ''totally embarrassing and out of order.''

Mr Walker said he supported the loyal clerk, known as ''Mr Aldeburgh'' for his knowledge of the town and work on its behalf, and he was disappointed by the council's treatment of him.

A by-election is taking place in Aldeburgh today to fill the vacancy following the death of David Lloyd.

The candidates are: Dennis Peel, a licensee of the Mill Inn; Jimmy Robinson, of Victoria Road; Kevin Webster, of Mariners Way and Beth Wilson, a florist, of Saxmundham Road.