THE TOWN clerk of Malvern Town Council has been found guilty of breaching council policy following a complaint by an internal member of staff.
Richard Chapman who has been suspended for five months since October 11, was handed a disciplinary sanction and recommended to undertake training.
However he will remain on leave for the time-being until the outcome of an appeal is reached.
Councillors met behind closed doors on Monday (February 10) to discuss the matter for more than three hours, which led to a decision that Mr Chapman should not return to work until the matter was fully resolved.
Deputy town clerk Linda Blake said the council could not provide any further detail of the charges at this stage while the appeal was underway to avoid prejudicing the forthcoming hearings.
The council moved to confirm the town clerk had been found guilty in response to inaccurate reports last week he had been cleared of the allegations.
Mayor Julian Roskams said: “This has been a very challenging period for the town council, as we have found it necessary to carry out a thorough and independent investigation of working practices at the town council as a result of various allegations that had been raised internally.
“As a body, the council is absolutely committed to providing a secure and safe working environment for all town council staff and will continue to work hard to ensure that continues.
“I have been gratified that the vast majority of councillors have shown themselves to take seriously their role as good employers.
“Throughout this difficult period, staff too have shown the most incredible professionalism and dignity and continue to work fantastically hard for the town and for local people. They deserve nothing but praise.”
He added last week’s reports had been ‘distressing’ and the council would be requesting the publication responsible to co-operate in identifying the source of the information.
