The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Coun John Spencer
The chairman of Holbeach Parish Council has resigned his post amidst allegations of financial irregularities at a town social club.
A letter of resignation from John Spencer, who was elected chairman of the council in May, was read by the clerk Chris Seymour at a meeting of the parish council on Monday evening.
Mr Spencer will continue to serve as a councillor.
The letter read: “It is with regret that I have decided to stand down as chairman of Holbeach Parish Council for the present time.
“I consider myself to have acted in an honest and forthright way, but take this action in order to protect the public perception of the parish council until my point is proven.
“I have also been in hospital for surgery and at this present time do not know what the recovery period will be.
“I still believe that what has happened at the football club in no way reflects my ability to do a good job within the parish council or the community or conflicts with any parish council business.
“Having decided to stand down as chairman, it remains my wish to carry on as a parish councillor as support to the local parishioners.”
Coun Spencer was chairman of Holbeach Sports and Youth Social Club in Park Road until September. The committee resigned en bloc after it was found that about £51,500 of bills had gone unpaid.
Last month calls were made for Coun Spencer to step down as parish council chairman until investigations into the finances are complete but at the time he refused.
Although linked at the council-owned Carter’s Park, the football club and social club each had separate constitutions, bank accounts and committees.
