Bullying claims and Rhuddlan Town pitch row spark resignation

Mr Williams - whose grandfather was also a town councillor - has now resigned as a town councillor and in a stinging resignation letter accused the town council of a lack of engagement, wasting money and only working in the vested interests of a small group of councillors.

In his resignation letter read out at the October meeting of the council, Mr Williams said:

"I put myself forward for a Town Councillor as I and many local people were frustrated at some of the town council's decisions being made, money that was spent/wasted and the lack of engagement with the local people, particularly the younger generation.

"My Taid was a dedicated Rhuddlan councillor and with our family having such an invested interest in the village I thought I could contribute well with no hidden agendas and help make decisions that would benefit the village.

"From the initial meeting I could see that there were a small group of councillors there for their own personal gains and I did not feel the meetings were open, honest and transparent. 

These individuals only focused on their own interests and if anyone else comes up with ideas, that is of that is of no appeal to them, they were told - move on. 

There is a complete disregard to what people of the village want and each time I suggested that we engage more I was ignored."

To support his claims Mr Williams cited the refusal of the council to allow Rhuddlan Town FC to use Admiral's Field. The plan would have given them the right to fence off and develop the playing field, which was gifted to the council and the community by the Rowley-Conwy family as a community area.

"Three councillors, with another two having an interest, live adjacent to the field, who then voted to have thousands spent on the path around the field, then voted against Rhuddlan (Town) Football Club relocating there.

"It is my understanding that if a member of the public can see a councillor has invested interest in a decision then they should not be party to the discussion, or indeed vote."

He also accused the council of wasting money on the Hub and on new facilities like the planned museum and heritage centre - when he claimed it should be focusing investment on retaining services like the library.

"At the meetings I have attended I have found them to be confrontational, aggressive at times, with some councillors who speak out being dismissed or ridiculed," he wrote. "Some have come to see me privately about meetings as they feel anxious and stressed and bordering on feeling bullied."

Having listened to his resignation letter Cllr Mike Kermode said

"The Admiral gave the field to Rhuddlan Parish Council, our predecessor, in 1946 to be a public recreation ground for the Parish of Rhuddlan. There's a legal covenant to to this. We can't give a lease to organisations otherwise we break the covenant.   

"Rob has made serious allegations about the town council. In my opinion they are unfounded and he gives no evidence. Is it just because he didn't get his own way with the football club? 

"If he's got any evidence of wrongdoing he needs to take it to the Ombudsman. If  he's got no evidence, he needs to apologise."

Councillors were split on Mr Williams' claims.

"This comes as very sad news to me," said Cllr Ann Davies. "Robert was an excellent councillor. Obviously he din't feel valued, listened to or respected.  

"His grandfather was a dedicated Rhuddlan town councillor. Robert had the same passion for serving the residents. The resignation is a great loss to the residents of Rhuddlan. They are the ones who will miss out.

"He was a hugely popular, respected councillor. Communication has broken down here and needs to be reviewed."

Cllr Ivor Beech also expressed his regret over Mr Williams resignation.

"I'm very sorry," he said. I've known his family all my life, I was privileged to know his grandfather and I knew his father very well. He will be a loss to the council. It broke his heart, the decision over Rhuddlan Town Football Club and it was very difficult after that." 

Mayor Val Simmons read a statement on behalf of the council in her role as Mayor and chair, refuting the allegations.

"All decisions are made democratically by a vote. Regarding when a councillor can and cannot vote a proposal, this is done through the Declaration of Interest. A councillor can declare a personal interest on an item, but they can still take part in the debate, and a vote unless deemed personally prejudicial.

"In a vote for the Rhuddlan Town Football Club using Admiral’s Field, the councillors declared a personal interest and were fully entitled to vote. The councillors who had issues with this vote have been told on numerous occasions that they must complain to the Welsh Ombudsman.

"To date, no formal complaint has been submitted to the Ombudsman."

Mayor Simmons defended spending on the hub and the path around Admiral's Field, stating that the multi-use community facility and public toilets were a well-used asset to the community. 

She also highlighted that the council had invested £17,000 this year to maintain the library's opening hours after Denbighshire County Council cut them across the county and explained that the museum plans - for a facility adjacent to the library - would strengthen the case for the library to remain open in the future.