Chard Town Council apologises for "toxic and dysfunctional" conduct
The Rolley Report was commissioned following eight separate allegations of bullying
A “toxic and dysfunctional” town council in Somerset has issued a formal apology to local residents for its recent conduct.
The Rolley Report was commissioned by Chard Town Council in October 2022 following eight separate allegations of bullying, which coincided with a high turnover of town council clerks over a ten-year period.
The report was presented to the council in March 2023 and was made public one month later, describing the council as “dysfunctional” and criticising both councillors and officers for a “total lack of strategic vision”.
The report (named after Sussex-based consultant Chris Rolley) was officially rescinded in March 2024 after an investigation found it was “not totally independent or unbiased”.
The town council has now formally apologised for “not acting in an appropriate and considerate manner”, and has promised such behaviour will not be repeated in the future.
Town clerk David Bell made a lengthy and detailed statement on the state of affairs at a “tense” council meeting held at the Guildhall on March 17.
Mr Bell – who was appointed shortly before Christmas – said he had sought to address the council’s “toxic and dysfunctional” reputation and “set the council on the road to stability, openness, transparency and accountability”.
When he visited the building in 2024 before his appointment, he described it having “a bad atmosphere” and being “the quintessential example of a sick building”.
He added: “Some people were not only fearful but exhibited heightened anxiety, particularly relating to continuing perceived or anticipated reprisals.”
Mr Bell said there had been “significant progress” since his appointment, with councillor and staff being more respectful of each other and everyone “aiming to be on the same team”.
He also acknowledged that the public had “expressed significant frustration and concern” over the council’s conduct.
Because elements of the Rolley Report remain confidential, Mr Bell was unable to replicate its contents entirely in the public session.
He said: “I have no doubt that Mr Rolley possesses the relevant skills and experience to take on this type of task.
“Councillors provide an invaluable bridge between the community and the council’s formal and day-to-day workings
“However, unfortunately, during my deliberations I have found (at times) a rudderless organisation all too eager to develop into a significant blame and antagonistic culture.
“I would hope that, in future, the maxim ‘treat people as you would wish to be treated’ applies.
“On this basis, I implore the council (to the benefit of the community we all serve) to draw a line and move on.”
In issuing the apology, the town council has committed to take no further action against any individuals or groups in relation to the report, and for lessons from the report to be formally considered and implemented at a future council meeting.
Mr Bell concluded: “This council offers an unreserved apology to the wider Chard community, Christopher Rolley, the full council and the officer team, for not acting in an appropriate and considerate manner.
“This includes the way in which the report was handled and any subsequent feeling of ill-will, embarrassment and any alleged conduct unbecoming of the posts.”
The Yeovil constituency branch of the Liberal Democrats have welcomed the town council’s “unreserved” apology, and expressed hoped that it would draw a line under the entire matter.
A spokesman said: “After two years of enduring fake news, rumours, and a biased report, this apology marks a significant step toward accountability and reconciliation.
“The fallout from the mishandling of the report has had a profound impact on the lives and mental well-being of those involved.
“Some individuals faced extreme actions, including inflammatory and false claims in the press and online, as well as receiving death threats and verbal abuse.
“These events could have been avoided had the report been conducted appropriately and independently, as originally requested.
“While the damage to reputations and mental health cannot be easily repaired, this apology represents progress. We hope this serves as a lesson to ensure such incidents are never repeated.
“Moving forward, we are committed to focusing our energy on the events and projects that enrich our town, as we have always done.
“We stand united in support of those affected and remain dedicated to fostering a positive and collaborative environment for the betterment of our community.”