Dramatic West Norfolk council meeting ends in eight resignations
It's the latest twist in a long-running saga at the authority
A dramatic late-night meeting saw eight councillors – including the mayor and her deputy – resign from a troubled town council.
Jenny Groom, the mayor of Downham Market, announced her own departure as well as the others at the meeting in the Town Hall. Her deputy, Jackie Westrop, also said she was stepping down, while the clerk, Elaine Oliver, also resigned.
In an extraordinary statement, Ms Groom said the departing councillors were leaving in protest at the “bullying” they had encountered while serving on Downham Market Town Council.
The resignations are the latest twist in a long-running saga which was first sparked by changes the authority made to the town’s market after the first Covid lockdown. These proved unpopular with some people in the town and ever since the council has been wracked with division and turmoil.
There have now been 16 resignations since 2019.
At the meeting, Ms Groom first announced Ms Oliver’s departure who she said was leaving to “pursue other opportunities”.
Ms Groom then revealed the resignation of six councillors – Elizabeth Hendry, Alan Pickering, Willow Woodmin, Jo Woodmin, Becky Hayes and Simon Gomes-DaCosta.
In a joint statement, the six, who did not attend, said it was with regret that they were resigning, calling it an extremely difficult decision.
They said there had been “continued and incessant bullying” of the town clerk.
Their statement said: “The clerk is a loyal, hardworking and valued employer of the council and whilst we did everything in our power to protect her from this harassment due to the inadequate legislation we were unable to do more.”
Ms Westrop then declared she too was resigning, pointing out that 16 councillors have resigned since the election in 2019, many of them women.
Since becoming a councillor, Ms Westrop said she has faced abuse, including being spat at and no longer feels she can continue.
Finally, Ms Groom announced she was resigning before she and the former deputy mayor walked out of the meeting.
Following the walkout, a council staff member advised those that were left that they could elect a chair of the meeting or adjourn the meeting.
The remaining councillors decided to continue the meeting, with Robin Pegg selected to chair the remainder of the meeting.
Mr Pegg said he did agree with some of what had been said but not all of it and adding they have “a lot of work to do now”.
The chair said: “We’re going to do all we can to get this town back to how it used to be.”