Ludlow council 'draws line' after clerk payout

Veronica Calderbank won her claim against Ludlow Town Council at the end of a month-long employment tribunal hearing at the end of last year.

During the dispute Mrs Calderbank claimed that she had been left with no choice but to quit her role in 2012 after being asked to work long hours without a break despite a crippling back problem.

Her claim for constructive unfair dismissal was upheld and she was awarded the payout last week.

In a statement from Ludlow Town Council, current town clerk Gina Wilding said: "Throughout the recently concluded employment tribunal with former town clerk Veronica Calderbank, Ludlow Town Council has tried to show the utmost respect for all parties concerned and resisted the pressure to react to press releases.

"Further to the tribunal judgment of November 18 and the employment judge's conclusion that two of the 15 allegations of unfair dismissal were upheld, Ludlow Town Council entered into negotiations through Acas, but no settlement was achieved."

She said Ludlow Town Council had resolved that giving Mrs Calderbank her job back was an "unworkable solution" and not an option for the council. Members also resolved to accept the judgment and compensation awarded by the tribunal," she added.

Tribunal judges ruled against ordering the council to reinstate Mrs Calderbank and awarded her £74,235, including basic award and compensation.

"Ludlow Town Council feels that in these circumstances there are no winners and no losers, and would like to draw a line under the matter and proposes to move forward with a respectful and co-operative approach," Ms Wilding said.

Mrs Calderbank has said she felt "personally vindicated" by the judgment and was now setting up her own company to provide legal services to local authorities.

The tribunal judgment and remedy papers are public documents, available from the tribunal service.

Copies have been made by the town council and are available at Ludlow Library.