Another Frodsham councillor resigns

ANOTHER member of Frodsham Town Council has resigned following the shock resignation of chairman Mark Warren amid claims of “a culture of systemic bullying.”
There is no suggestion that Cllr Jason Fraser’s resignation – which comes just eight months after he was elected to the council – is connected with that of the former chairman.
He says his reasons are connected with an increased workload which leaves him with insufficient time to dedicate to the role of councillor
But both men represented Lakes Ward –and the council faces the possibility of by-elections to fill their places.
The council has also started seeking a new chairman – and the first opportunity to elect one will come at the next meeting on December 14.
Mayor Cllr Fran Sutton – who is also vice chairman of the council – will take the chair for that meeting.
The council has confirmed it is looking for a new chairman – and is also seeking a new clerk, following the resignation some two months ago of former clerk Jon Wild
In a statement, the council said: “The council wishes to place on record its gratitude for the four and a half years’ service that Mark has put into his role as both a councillor for Lakes Ward and as chair of the council.
“His departure leaves a huge void in the council and a very difficult role to fill. A new chair will be installed in due course. “
In the meantime a number of local figures have spoken about Mr Warren’s resignation.
Cheshire West and Chester councillor and former Mayor of Frodsham Andrew Dawson said: “I was shocked and saddened by Cllr Warren’s resignation. He has worked hard for Frodsham over the past 4 years and has received little thanks or recognition for his work. Whilst I have some insight into the pressures that he and others have been under – and frankly they have been undeserved, unnecessary and intolerable – I do not know why he has chosen to resign now.
“Frodsham is a wonderful place with countless community minded, warm hearted and generous people. However we also have the nasty, the liars and those who are jealous of others and their successes. The tragedy of Cllr Warren’s resignation is that a good man has been worn down.”
Last year’s Mayor Allen Wales said: “I am very sad to see him go. Cllr Warren put in a huge number of hours for the council and worked tirelessly to guide the council. He will be sorely missed.”
Mr Wales – who immediately after the May elections warned new councillors  not to allow themselves to be “intimidated, bullied or shouted down” –  predicted that further resignations could follow.
“I think some of the new councillors might not have known what they were letting themselves in for,” he said.
Cllr Terry O’Neill, a long-standing member of Helsby Parish Council, said on Facebook: “Shame, Mark Warren is a good and fair man.”