Town council hit by bullying claims could dissolve

Scalby is a short distance from Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire coast

A town council hit by accusations of bullying could cease to exist after a vote on its future is held.

The electorate of Newby and Scalby, near Scarborough, will go to the ballot box on 9 August for a referendum on the council's dissolution, although the result is only advisory and not legally binding.

The parish poll was triggered by a group of disaffected local residents, led by the council's former chairman, who have criticised the organisation's response to allegations of bullying made against its town clerk.

The council said it "does not condone bullying in the workplace", but insisted it could not comment further due to legal reasons and staff confidentiality.

People living in the villages will be asked to vote on whether or not they want the town council to be dissolved and a new one set up in its place.

Unlike in general elections, polling stations will only be open between 16:00 and 21:00 BST.

North Yorkshire Council agreed to administer the poll following a dispute over the town council's handling of the accusation against clerk Jools Marley and her alleged treatment of another employee.

Voters in the community will be asked whether or not they want to dissolve the town council

The BBC was told that Ms Marley was initially suspended from duty while an independent report was carried out by an HR firm.

The council refused to publish the report or release it publicly, but it has been suggested the claims were upheld and it recommended disciplinary action be taken. However, it is understood Ms Marley's suspension was lifted following a vote by councillors.

Minutes of a meeting held on 16 November last year indicate the council voted to only show the report to three councillors, all of them on its disciplinary committee, "as only those who were formally appointed to that committee had a need to know".

That decision was taken after the public and press were excluded from the meeting.

The decision to lift the suspension led to the resignation of a number of councillors in protest at the decision, plus its long-serving chairman, Reg Towse.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Towse said: "Truth and integrity means everything to me. I could not sit there and sign letters that I didn’t agree with.

"Everybody who understands HR and bullying knows that once you’ve started the procedures you have to finish it off."

'Shut down'

Mr Towse claimed that attempts by members of the public to ask about the matter at subsequent meetings were shut down.

The council acknowledged there had been a reduction in meetings recently, but said this was because members of the group who have triggered the parish poll had been disruptive.

In a statement on its website detailing the poll and responding to the issues raised, the town council said it "does not condone bullying in the workplace".

It added: "This is a matter which the town council takes very seriously, and this is reflected in the fact that the council obtained an independent report on the matters complained of.

"These are confidential employment matters and currently subject to litigation and the council is not prepared, at this stage, to comment on such confidential matters which may concern either existing or previous members of staff and which may prejudice any litigation."

A spokesperson for the council confirmed Ms Marley was one the parties that were a subject of the report, but said they were unable to put a timescale on when the matter would be completed.

"Staffing matters are not a discussion for the public domain," they added.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]