‘Aggressive’ parish council chairman resigns after conduct breach

A ‘domineering and aggressive’ parish council chairman has resigned after being told he needs training following a code of conduct breach.

Cradley and Storridge Parish Council chairman Geoff Fielding was found in breach of its code of conduct on November 14 after the resignation of fellow councillor Miles Meager and the parish clerk.

Herefordshire Council’s monitoring officer and independent person concluded that councillor Fielding did breach the code of conduct and recommended that he should receive training.

However, councillor Fielding’s resignation notice was posted today and a casual vacancy has arisen at the parish council.

His complaint decision notice read: “Mr Meager was a parish councillor for Cradley Parish Council and directly attributes his resignation to the behaviour of councillor Fielding.

“A former clerk to the parish council also attributed his behaviour to their resignation.

“Councillor Fielding has on occasion demonstrated domineering, aggressive and confrontational behaviour.

“Although clearly an enthusiastic councillor from a local parish council, the manner in which he has conducted himself has at times caused others to feel intimidated.”

Councillor Fielding said he did not wish to comment but emphasised that the resignation had nothing to do with the conduct breach.

There are currently four vacancies at the parish council following recent resignations.

A by-election is scheduled for two of the vacancies on December 20 and residents have until December 7 to request an election for the seat of former councillor Simon Davies.

However, it is now too close to next year’s elections to request an election for the vacancy created by coun Fielding’s resignation so a candidate will be co-opted if any come forward.