PARISH COUNCIL HIT BY ANOTHER RESIGNATION

There’s been a further resignation from Bishop Monkton’s Parish Council leaving only three councillors remaining. Dean Culshaw resigned after the Annual Meeting last night (Thursday) after unsuccessfully challenging current incumbent Stephen Verrill in the election for Chair of the Council for the next year. Just three councillors now remain - Sheila Parsons and Kai Shand as well as Stephen Verrill. Another councillor Tony Garnett had resigned last month.

The latest resignation comes after an acrimonious meeting of the Council in April. The draft minutes of that meeting, subsequently revised, laid bare a number of issues concerning the council highlighted in a recent Bishop Monkton Today article. These included a strained relationship between the Chair and Clerk, serious criticism of the Council’s processes by an external auditor and continuing legal concerns related to the Harvest View development.

Dean Culshaw told ‘Bishop Monkton Today’ -

“I was disappointed that the PC didn’t support me in my plan for a change of direction and leadership. I can’t support the existing leadership so it’s appropriate that I leave the PC. I have worked hard during my time on the PC and hopefully made a positive contribution. “

It’s understood that the Council remains quorate for now but would not be if there were a further resignation.

We have approached the Parish Council for comment on these latest developments.