Brampton parish council members ‘have made me sick’
Last updated at 14:28, Friday, 15 March 2013
A parish councillor has resigned, claiming that fellow members’ behaviour has made him “sick”.
Eric Griffiths tendered his resignation from Brampton parish council.
He has followed this up by writing a letter for publication in The Cumberland News.
In his resignation statement, Mr Griffiths said he had worked on a number of projects for the parish council and raised important issues at its meetings.
“However, I am afraid that I have become concerned for my health,” he added.
“I have found that, as a parish councillor, the level of backbiting, back-stabbing, duplicity, general unhelpfulness and self-aggrandisement I have encountered has combined to make me sick. I have determined, therefore, that I must spend more time with my family and for these reasons, I tender my resignation.”
Mr Griffiths, 60, was elected to the parish council in May last year. He is a former police officer, who spent 35 years on the force in Sussex.
Projects he has been involved in included a proposed commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War One and plans to mark the Moot Hall’s 200th birthday in 2017.
Mr Griffiths also helped to organise a book on walks in Brampton with local group Walkers are Welcome. However, there have been disputes at recent council meetings regarding payment for printing the publication and plans to launch it.
He mentions these heavily in his resignation document.
In his letter for publication he said: “I do know, from what some of you have told me, that you hoped I might help provide the ‘wind of change’ you feel is overdue. Sadly, during my short dabble in local politics, I did encounter plenty of wind but for me, very little of it is blowing in the right direction.”
He also encouraged as many people as possible to attend council meetings. Mr Griffiths’ resignation follows that of Pat Skimming, announced at the group’s meeting in February.
In her letter to members she said: “In the atmosphere prevailing caused by certain members, I feel I can no longer continue the cause of Brampton.”
At this meeting the chairman, David Moorat, and vice-chairman, Gillian Hodgson, both commented on how councillors should behave.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Moorat said: “Brampton parish council feels that the correct place to respond to Mr Griffiths’ resignation letter is at an appropriate meeting of Brampton parish council, not The Cumberland News.”
The next scheduled meeting is due to take place on March 26.
First published at 14:25, Friday, 15 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk
As it ever was. People who have never seen anything other than Brampton, who want the place kept in a time-warp so it never changes, and people who move here from outside and think they know better. People with PhDs and people who can't spell PhD. Clashing egos and personal vendettas. This town should be on TV! There is certainly room for improvement from the top down.
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As a Bramptonian by birth I think I have the right to comment...
"Brampton deserves better than this!"
Posted by Raymond Wright on 28 March 2013 at 21:31