Intrigue over secret sums paid to lawyers and consultants by a Norfolk council has deepened after it emerged the authority had faced allegations of "inappropriate, sexist behaviour".
Sheringham Town Council's legal costs have more than doubled in three months from £13,000 to nearly £29,000.
This is almost five times the amount originally budgeted to deal with legal issues and has led councillors to increase the budget to £40,000.
The increase has coincided with the publication of a report into staffing complaints.
It also follows three years of turbulence at the council, which has resulted in five members of staff quitting and six town clerks leaving their posts.
SECRET SUMS
In June, Sheringham Town Council paid £13,000 to legal and HR firms.
Details of why these payments were made were not revealed, with the council saying it was bound by "GDPR rules" which prevented the disclosure of specific details.
However, four months later, this figure has now risen to £28,500, prompting growing concerns about the hefty sums.
In a review of the council's finances, the locum clerk said: "Over the past few months, over £28,500 has been spent on legal fees from a budget that only has £6,000 allocated to it.
"This is not good practice. Where there is an earmarked reserve and the expenditure is of an unexpected nature, then the expenditure should be allocated to the earmarked reserve."
ALLEGATIONS REVEALED
Separately, the council has also published a heavily redacted report which details a number of internal complaints made by staff and how the council should respond to them.
The document says that the authority has faced claims of "inappropriate behaviour, including sexist comments and behaviour".
It is now considering referring these complaints to North Norfolk District Council's Monitoring Officer - the official that presides over councillor conduct.
It also says the relationship between mayor Peter Ratcliffe and deputy mayor Sue Brisbane and the council staff has become "strained".
The report also urges staff and councillors to avoid making derogatory comments on social media and on other forums.
It found shortcomings in how complaints have been handled and has urged the council to ensure "all complaints are thoroughly investigated and that decisions are clearly communicated/documented".
And it called for the dress code to be upgraded to ensure staff wear "appropriate office attire".
PAST PROBLEMS
Sheringham Town Council has had a rocky five years, during which allegations of bullying have been levelled at a number of staff members and councillors.
It has also been the subject of a defamation claim, which resulted in a £5,000 pay-out for damages and costs to a community support group.
In 2022, a councillor, Richard Shepherd, was reported to the police over an online message referring to the beheading of a Liberal Democrat rival. He later apologised.
In the past 18 months, a number of investigations have been conducted in relation to staffing matters and the employment committee has held frequent extraordinary meetings in private.
Five staff members have quit in this period and six town clerks have left their posts in the last three years.
The most recent to leave is Sarah Peberday, who had been absent from her role for several months.
A locum clerk, Deborah McNeil, has since taken over the reins and is conducting a thorough review of the council's policies.
WHAT IS GOING ON?
There remain scant details about the circumstances of the turmoil and the council refused to answer specific questions.
Mr Ratcliffe, mayor and chairman of the council, said: "Sheringham Town Council is unable to comment about confidential staffing matters.
"Sheringham Town councillors are unpaid public servants who are committed to ensuring all its statutory obligations are professionally undertaken while delivering a range of projects for the benefit of its residents and visitors.
"Under the guidance of the locum clerk and with the support of staff, the council is always working to improve its practices and make changes wherever there is an identified need.
"Sheringham Town Council cannot respond to rumours and conjecture but remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to those it serves."
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