Councillor to stay “out in the cold” by own decision

CONTROVERSIAL councillor Tom Reynolds, who was suspended from all committees of Frodsham Town Council a month ago following allegations of bullying, is to stay “out in the cold” – by his own decision.
The  Castle Park ward councillor’s case was due to be reviewed by the council last night, but Cllr Reynolds pre-empted any discussion by resigning from  Policy and Process and Communications – the  two committees of which he had been a member – “to spare anyone’s embarrassment.”
He said he felt able to represent his constituents adequately by attending meetings of the full council.
His resignation was accepted by newly-elected chairman Mike Pusey (pictured) and approved by other members.
Cllr Pusey, the current Deputy Mayor, will serve as chairman until May, when he is due to become Mayor.
He said he had never thought it a good idea to split the role of Mayor and Chairman – a decision taken three years ago – and asked for a discussion at the next meeting with a view of combining the two roles again.
“I don’t think it is healthy for the same person to be chairman year after year,” he said.
Local resident Mike Collins, speaking from the public gallery, said he had attended last month’s council meeting after becoming concerned about reports in Frodsham Life of a culture of bullying at the Council.
He was well accustomed to aggressive industrial environments from his work prior to retirement, but he was appalled at what he saw and heard at the last meeting.
Mr Collins suggested the council should keep a log of every unacceptable incident which could then be dealt with  immediately. If such a system had been running the problem could  have been resolved there and then.
Cllr Reynolds – who protests that he was a victim of bullying rather than a bully – responded: “I think it is an excellent idea.”