A town council meeting descended into chaos last night (Tuesday) as allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation were made — and the Isle of Wight’s MP got involved.
At Yarmouth Town Council, one councillor publicly apologised for his behaviour at the last meeting and MP Bob Seely said he had reported some councillors to the Isle of Wight Council.
Speaking about the previous meeting, another member of the public said Cllr Rodney Corbett had brought YTC into disrepute after his behaviour caused the only two female councillors to leave as they felt unable to ‘vote because of intimidation’.
Responding, Cllr Corbett said if he did bully the councillors, he apologised and said it was not meant to come across that way but he needed to get his point over.
Later in the meeting, Cllr Corbett alleged other instances of bullying and intimidation committed by others, as ‘he had replied to his accusations and felt others should have to as well’.
He felt Cllrs Steve Cowley and Thomas Cowley should apologise for ‘verbally attacking’ ward councillor Peter Spink at previous meetings — which they both denied — so much so that Cllr Spink had stopped attending YTC meetings.
Some protested any complaints should be taken through the proper procedure but Cllr Corbett continued, saying he was representing those who had had to put up with the Cllr Cowleys’ behaviour.
One member of the public said having sat through the meeting they were ashamed of what had taken place, with councillors lacking accountability, leadership and respect towards each other.
Cllr Debbie McCleary said the council needed to move on and the meeting was not the right forum to raise the issues.
She said:
“This is the whole reason we are seen as an embarrassment, we cannot sit here and argue like this.
"It needs to be dealt with appropriately — we are here for the good of the community and this is taking away from it.”
Only one formal complaint had been lodged so far, it was confirmed, by Cllr Steve Cowley, who was aggrieved with Cllr Corbett’s behaviour.
Cllr Spink responded to comments saying he thought YTC needed to take a clear look at itself, especially after he felt he would not attend its meetings anymore and the town mayor, Jamie Allen, resigned recently in ‘unpleasant circumstances’.
Mr Seely spoke in Cllr Spinks’s defence saying shouting and bullying at the meetings were unacceptable.
It was agreed YTC’s meetings should be audio recorded in the future.
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