Mystery mounts over Sheringham council's £13k payments

The spending by Sheringham Town Council (STC) equates to almost 10pc of its revenue from council tax this year and the issue has become the talk of the town, prompting calls for more transparency.

But the authority is insisting the exact circumstances surrounding the hefty sums paid to legal fees and HR firms remain secret, with officials only saying it relates to "staffing matters".

The colourful beach huts of Sheringham (Image: Denise Bradley)

It comes after a period of tumult for the council, with the clerk currently taking a leave of absence and sources saying five employees have also quit in the last 12 months following ongoing unrest.

In the last nine months there have been five extraordinary meetings of the authority's employment committee – all conducted in secret - with a further seven full council meetings all held behind closed doors.

Councillors have agreed to conduct investigations into the undisclosed staffing issues but the council has not said what this relates to.

INVESTIGATION BEGINS

Problems appeared to have surfaced in December 2023, when an extraordinary employment committee meeting was held in private.

While details are scant, the minutes show members agreed to "follow disciplinary policy and instigate an investigation" relating to a staff matter.

In the following months, four more extraordinary meetings were held, during which councillors continued to agree on "courses of action".

At the latest meeting in May, a "conclusion" had been reached, which led to subsequent secretive meetings involving all council members.

Sarah Peberday, Sheringham town council's clerk, has been on leave since June (Image: Sheringham Town Council)

MORE SECRECY

Members have met five times since May to discuss staffing issues at extraordinary meetings but since May 16, there have been no minutes published.

Agendas for the meeting contain little information, other than detailing staffing and employment matters are to be discussed.

Since July, Sarah Peberday, the town's clerk, has been on leave, with a locum clerk - Deborah McNeill - drafted in instead.

LAWYERS BROUGHT IN

In June, Sheringham Town Council paid £13,000 to legal and HR firms.

The first payment of £2,090 was made to Mustard HR - a Saxlingham Nethergate company that specialises in employment relations - on June 3.

Law firm Leathes Prior, based in Norwich, then received £3,600 for "general employment advice" on June 18.

The Leathes Prior solicitors offices in Norwich (Image: Leathes Prior)

Mustard HR was later paid £7,340.45 on June 28, with this cost also including travel expenses to Sheringham.

When asked what these payments were for, Ms McNeill said: "These invoices are for professional support provided to the council in relation to staffing matters. GDPR [data protection] prevents me from disclosing specific details."

Ms McNeill has also said she is unable to reveal any details about what has been discussed at the extraordinary meetings.

"Under GDPR, the purpose of confidential meetings about staff matters cannot legally be disclosed," she added.

She was also unable to provide any information as to why the permanent clerk, Mrs Peberday, is currently on leave.

The town council's offices and meetings are held at Sheringham Community Centre (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Sources within the council have said five members of staff have quit and another is on long-term sickness leave.

The sources say the departures are linked to the unrest at the authority and the "staffing matters" referred to by the council.

The lack of transparency about the situation has led people in the town to speculate about what is going on.

John Dorey, Sheringham town councillor (Image: Supplied by Jon Dorey)

Jon Dorey, a Sheringham councillor, said: "There are rumours flying around town but it is best not to speculate. Hopefully everything will be resolved and the council can move forward."

Mark Lewin, a former caretaker who quit due to the ongoing issues, said: "They have refused to answer any of my questions, claiming legal privilege. People deserve to know what has been happening at the town council."

STC has assured people it is following proper procedures. 

Ms McNeil said: "STC has been dealing with a number of sensitive staffing issues which are largely now addressed.

"However, it is aware that there has been a certain amount of discussion in the local community.

"STC is not in a position to discuss these matters as we are bound by confidentiality and GDPR rules."

Ms McNeil said a resolution was expected soon.