Former mayor says staff have been bullied at Woodbridge Town Council
Former mayor of Woodbridge Josh Sayles said that two clerks at the council had been bullied Picture: SIMON PARKER
Accusations of bullying have been levelled at a Suffolk town council by one of its former mayors.
Woodbridge Town Council adopted a new harassment and bullying policy on Tuesday night Picture: GREGG BROWN
The allegations of bullying were made on Tuesday night at a full council meeting of Woodbridge Town Council.
Councillor for the Seckford ward Josh Sayles served as the town’s mayor between 2015 and 2016.
Mr Sayle alleged during this week’s meeting that in his time on the council two female clerks had been bullied by two male members of the council.
The accusation came as the council was set to vote upon a new harassment and bullying policy which would cover both staff and councillors.
The seven page policy aims to ensure that “all staff are treated with dignity and respect” and outlines a range of treatment which the council considers to constitute bullying or harassment including derogatory remarks, threats and inappropriate behaviour.
It sets out both formal and informal steps that can be taken and the support that can be offered by the council to deal with the issue should it arise.
Most Read
- 1 10 Suffolk celebrities and where they went to school
- 2 'I'm not here to settle' - Walton sets sights high after permanent Town move
- 3 'It is really sad': End of an era as popular pub landlords call time
- 4 Look inside 'immaculately presented' property with own bar and heated pool
- 5 'One or two we're speaking to' - McKenna on transfer plans
- 6 Ipswich Town sign Brentford full-back Thompson on loan
- 7 Town could lose its Post Office branch in triple closure shock
- 8 McKenna on offers for Harper and El Mizouni and Fraser's Town future
- 9 'It's what I know and love': Former lorry driver opens food truck on A12
- 10 Adventure Golf attraction set to make way for new homes
The policy also invites staff to “comment on this policy and suggest ways in which it might be improved by contacting the Town Clerk.”
“We are right to have this policy,” said Mr Sayles, “but it is a dark day for this council.
“Our staff serve this town and these people who have bullied the staff should be appalled.”
Other members of the council agreed with Mr Sayle’s sentiment.
Fellow Seckford ward councillor Lady Caroline Blois said: “I think that it’s appalling that we have to have this.”
Riverside ward councillor Kay Yule added that councillors “are not showing common sense”.
Martin Sylvester, who also represents the Riverside ward said: “It’s unfortunate that we have got to the point where we need the policy.”
Geoff Holdcroft, who represents the Riverside ward and is also a district councillor for the town said: “I think we need this policy.”
Lady Blois did have some reservations about the policy’s potential effectiveness:.
“What is the point of having a policy that has no teeth whatsoever,” said Lady Blois.
Despite these concerns and following discussions on the subject councillors decided to adopt the new policy.
