Chard Mayor Resigns
Recently The Leveller and Leveller Confidential (https://levellerconfidential.substack.com/) have documented problems at Chard Town Council. The council has had a high turnover of clerks over the past decade, as well as other council staff. Then there were allegations of bullying within the council. No fewer than 8 allegations of bullying have been submitted to the SSDC Monitoring Officer. The Leveller understands the allegations relate to a councillor.
Sadly we now have to report that the Mayor of Chard, Martin Carnell, has also resigned. Mr Carnell had commanded respect from councillors of all parties on the council. The agenda for next meeting on 5 January includes the following item:
“To invite nominations and elect the Town Mayor and Chairperson of the Council following the resignation of Mr Martin Carnell.”
The resignation is unfortunate especially as Cllr Carnell had also served on the town council for eight years. During that time there were 4 permanent and 2 temporary clerks. Cllr Carnell tried to persuade councillors of all parties to work together with council staff for the good of the town. He was unanimously elected in May to the role of Mayor, following council elections.
If an inclusive figure such as Cllr Carnell cannot make things work, the future of politics in the town does not look happy.
Chard Town Council is looking for a town clerk to join their team.
DETAILS
Job title: Town clerk
Organisation: Chard Town Council
Salary: £53,259
Application deadline: 23 January 2023 (9 am)
County: Somerset
Email address:
Phone number: 07745 693 428
SUMMARY
Are you a strong leader; do you think strategically; have you built successful organisations; can you communicate well, delegate effectively, and make difficult decisions?
Then why not join us? We seek a dynamic and proactive town clerk who can lead and support councillors and staff in taking us to the next level.
Chard Town Council undertook an organisational and staffing restructure in 2021 and now has an experienced team to support the new town clerk.
They have an excellent working knowledge of the town council and the local area and a high level of expertise in their roles.
The new town clerk will lead this team and support the town councillors in developing a community plan which will feed into a strategic plan and vision for the future of Chard.
Local government experience would be an advantage, but equally so could the possession of a skill set that lends itself to our personal specification.
Find out more about this vacancy