Councillors resign amid conduct investigation

Five councillors, including two accused of "sustained inappropriate conduct", have resigned from a local authority ahead of a meeting to discuss the allegations.

Jacqui Layman and Chris Riddolls stepped down from Whitby Town Council ahead of a staffing committee meeting on Monday, amid an independent investigation into their behaviour.

Layman has denied the allegations in a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), while Riddolls declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

Three other councillors, Steve Smith, Amanda Smith and Alf Abbott, have also resigned, with all five publishing a joint open letter criticising the town council.

According to the published draft minutes of Monday's meeting, the staffing committee recommended the council distance itself from the actions of Layman and Riddolls, due to "their unacceptable treatment of staff and their disruptive behaviour within the council".

The committee also recommended banning Layman and Riddolls from entering Whitby Museum, and Pannett Art Gallery, both of which are located within the town council's premises.

The findings of the independent investigation, which was commissioned by the council, have not been made public.

Councillors expressed their "profound concern and dismay" at the findings and described the reports as "deeply disturbing and difficult to read", according to the draft minutes of Monday's meeting.

According to the minutes, councillors said the pair's resignation did not remove the need for protective measures in relation to them as individuals.

Recommendations for consideration at an upcoming full council meeting on 19 October also include banning Layman and Riddolls from meeting with or telephoning council officers.

In a resignation letter seen by the LDRS, Layman said she denied "the allegations made in the confidential investigation".

Asked for comment, Layman told the LDRS: "The findings and conclusions of the independent investigation are confidential, as are the recommendations.

"If and when the committee or the council decide to publish the report I will be happy to respond to it."

The resignations mean there are now five vacancies on the 19-seat authority.

In an open letter to Whitby residents, first published by online newspaper The Anchor, the five former councillors criticised the authority for its approach to transparency and finances.

They said: "We joined your council to ensure your money was spent wisely. And we failed.

"We joined your council to bring you greater openness and transparency. And we failed.

"We failed because our attempts to serve were met, not with considered debate but with blind opposition and criticism."

In response, a spokesperson for the town council said: "The five former councillors are, of course, entitled to express their views.

"However, the council does not recognise or accept the characterisation of events presented in their open letter, which it considers to be a misleading and incomplete account of the circumstances."

The spokesperson said the council also firmly rejected the suggestion that it had failed to address concerns about financial management, governance and transparency.

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