TWO Clevedon town councillors have recently resigned after what they claim is a decision to “ignore best practice, and recommend to the rest of the council that someone should be employed by the council in a senior position without advertising the post”.

Councillors Angela Everitt and Adele Gardner resigned after raising concerns about the “level of poor practice were raised” when the town clerk position became available at the town council.

In response, the council said they took advice from ACAS, South West Councils, the National Association of Local Councils, and the local Avon Local Councils Association (ALCA) over the correct procedure.

In a joint letter, the two councillors said: “It would be hoped that town councils and town councillors would lead the way when it comes to ensuring that democratic principles and actions are upheld.

“The recent decision by two members of Clevedon Town Council to ignore best practice, and recommend to the rest of the council that someone should be employed by the council in a senior position without advertising the post, clearly flew in the face of the openness and transparency that should underpin recruitment.

“Both the previous and current staffing committee had spent significant amounts of time, and public money, in order to understand how a recruitment process which is underpinned by a good understanding of practices that take into account the council’s own policies and the wider guidance on equalities, should operate.

“After having been assured that the post would be advertised widely, and a date by which this process would start was set, it was surprising to learn that the chairperson and vice chairperson of the council’s staffing committee had decided not to advertise the post.

“This decision, they informed us, had been taken because someone had said they would like the job.

“On this basis, they had decided to abandon the agreed recruitment process, and proceed to interview the interested applicant at speed.

“Concerns about this level of poor practice were raised and brushed aside.

"While it was acknowledged that proceeding was not ‘good practice’ as it was not illegal, they were intent on going ahead.

"Stating in their own defence that it would save time and money.

“Such arguments and actions are, in our view, illustrative of a very carte blanche way of thinking and acting.

“The Nolan Principles, which should govern the thinking and actions of all those who are active in public life, make it clear how important integrity and openness are.

“We believe that there is no excuse for backroom deals because they invariably lead to conjecture, and denigrate democracy, which in turn lowers standards in public life.

“There seemed little point in remaining as councillors when raising concerns about the need to follow good practice are not listened to, and a significant number of councillors seem happy to sit in unruly meetings where insults are banded about, and good governance goes by the wayside.

“The village hall and the Barn are two such examples of poor governance.

“While other nearby town and parish councils get things done for their residents and precept contributors, Clevedon Town Council appears in the press for all of the wrong reasons.

“We despair of Clevedon Town Council as it currently operates.

“We feel that tendering our resignations leaves us free to write this letter and make clear to the public our concerns.

“It had always been our intention to serve the people of Clevedon well, but in order to do this, we must also keep the Nolan Principles, uphold democratic practices, and do what feels right and honourable.

“While we understand that the recruitment of staff who have the necessary skills to clerk town and parish councils is not without challenges these days, we would also like to close this letter with an observation that if noted and acted on, might help to resolve such issues.

“During our time has town councillors we have become aware of how little oversight there is of town and parish councils.

“This poor level of oversight, can lead to councillors making up the rules as they go along, or forming cliques that serve themselves more generously than they do the people that they were elected or co-opted to serve.

“Town and parish councils should receive greater levels of scrutiny than they currently do.

“As managers of public money, organisers of public services, trustees or owners of public buildings or facilities, and as employers, clerks and councillors need to be made more accountable than many currently are.

“Those who work as locums also need to be carefully monitored to ensure that they are up to date with what good practice looks like, and helped to understand that taking on multiple roles may not be in the best interest of anyone.

“The issue of recruitment needs to be one that is looked at, as it is essential for the continuation of town and parish councils that people feel that gaining the necessary skills to become clerks or deputy clerks is an attractive proposition.

“Standards Committees and other bodies that advise and support local government at this level need, in our view, to become more active in ensuring good practice is not an optional extra, but always the direction of travel.

“Because doing something that is less than good practice, on the premiss that it is not ‘illegal’ is in our view is simply not acceptable.

“Because town and parish councils also need the scrutiny of the population that they serve, it is hoped that people will be curious about their town or parish councils and ask questions so that they are informed about any vacancies on the council.

“If there are significant numbers of vacancies, why are people apparently reluctant to offer to serve?

“Or if they note that public services or facilities are not efficiently managed, to be curious enough to enquire why.”

Chair of Clevedon Town Council’s response

Chris Blades, chair of Clevedon Town Council, said: “In early July 2024 Clevedon Town Council found itself in a difficult position.

“The town clerk had left the employment of the council, and the deputy town clerk was serving a period of notice before resigning.

“The town council then engaged the services of an experienced and fully qualified Locum Town Clerk, who worked limited hours during July to help the council through this difficult period.

“All arrangements had been made to advertise the position of town clerk, when the Locum Clerk told the Staffing Committee of the Council that he would be applying for the position permanently.

“The Council’s Staffing Committee were aware that a full advertising and recruitment process would take many months before a new town clerk was appointed, and so advice was taken from a number of sources to ascertain whether an appointment could be made without the position being advertised.

“Advice was received from ACAS, South West Councils, the National Association of Local Councils, and the local Avon Local Councils Association (ALCA), who all stated the same, i.e. it would be legal to make the appointment without advertising if it was felt to be ‘best practice’ for Clevedon Town Council.

“The Locum Clerk completed a job application form and was interviewed by three members of the Staffing Committee who confirmed his suitability to be appointed on a six-month probation period.

“The CEO of ALCA sat in on the interview to ensure that the proceedings were carried out legally and correctly.

“Therefore, the town council is satisfied that it acted legally and in the best interests of Clevedon Town Council when appointing the new town clerk.

“There are currently vacancies in the position of town councillor.

“These have been advertised and a great deal of interest has been shown, with a co-option process taking place in early September.”