Fallout over ex-clerk may hit Ludlow authority hard
A town council could be facing a substantial bill unless councillors can settle a dispute with the authority's former clerk, it has been claimed.
Councillor Tony Pound, mayor of Ludlow, said he believed the fallout of the row involving former Ludlow Town Council clerk Veronica Calderbank – where she accused some members of bullying her – could 'ruin' the authority if the case went to an employment tribunal.
Ms Calderbank left her job last year, and is in dispute with the council.
She also claimed she did not have an annual appraisal for two years.
Ms Calderbank is now considering taking her case to an tribunal if the council does not adequately deal with her complaints.
She underwent a review by councillors in late February last year but handed in her notice two days later, dissatisfied with the review and a staffing and appeals sub-committee meeting to which she had taken a formal grievance.
The sub-committee substantiated her claims about her lack of a review and bullying but failed to come up with appropriate remedies.
Minutes of that meeting were made available to the public on the town council's website last week.
Town Mayor Councillor Pound called on councillors at the authority to settle the dispute before it went to a tribunal. He said: "I believe that if it is taken all the way it will ruin the council. I just want people to see sense and draw a line under this."
Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council member for Ludlow South, said: "If bullying behaviour was upheld by a tribunal it could cost the council a sum in the region of the precept to settle."
Ms Calderbank said: "I have been absolutely devastated. My formal grievance was upheld in part and at the same time I was told there was no case."
Current town clerk Gina Wilding said that as it was an ongoing matter no comment would be made from the authority.
