Six of Kedington's nine parish councillors and one former parish councillor have been placed under investigation by an investigating officer appointed by St Edmundsbury Bough council after allegations of breaches of the code of conduct were made against them by an as yet anonymous person or number of people. The parish council members have been informed that they must remain silent on the nature of the allegations or who they believe have made them while the allegations are under investigation. In addition to this four parish councillors and the parish council as an organisation have received notice from the Employment Tribunals Service of a fourth claim. All parish councillors implicated have strongly denied all the claims made.
Minutes of St Edmundsbury Borough Council Standards Committee Assessments Sub Comity (who if you don't mind I will refer to as ASC) show that three complaints have been received and that after consideration in closed session these were passed on to to an investigating officer to be investigated. Although this officer works in private it is known that this is the stage where all those accused will be interviewed for the first time and given their first opportunity to properly deny any allegations. If the officer should find there is a case to be made against the councillors involved then the they will pass the case with details of their investigation to the Standards Committee For England.
A letter by the council chairman explaining the situation is currently being delivered to all Kedington residents. Meanwhile day to day running of the Parish and any arising situations needing a quick response will be handled by the Parish clerk Marion Farrent who can be contacted on 01440 708577. In the case of emergences only she can also be contacted on her own phone 07833 431184. Members of the parish council will also be consulted on all planning applications and any representations with regard to such applications can be forwarded to them by the parish clerk. Also the Finance Committee of the council will continue to meet to enable contractors to continue to be paid.
A solicitor has been appointed to defend the individuals and if as the councillors claim the allegations prove to be false will be paid for by the parish council.
Article by M.P.Upton - 7/10/10
If you have news of interest to Kedington or a response or further information on existing articles please contact News@KedingtonNews.co.uk