LETTERS – Clarifying council position

I am writing to clarify the position of Tydd St Mary Parish Council following its successful defence of a claim of constructive dismissal brought against it at an Employment Tribunal by its former clerk, Ms Karen Treacher.
All the grounds for her case were dismissed by the tribunal, as was a claim for considerable financial compensation as well as an attempt then to have the case re-considered.
In its judgement, the tribunal said ‘the claimant was not close to winning any of her claims.’
Ms Treacher chose to resign her post with Tydd St Mary Parish Council in September 2020 and in November of that year elected to take her case to the employment tribunal.
As a parish council we pride ourselves on being a fair and considerate employer.
Councillors are unpaid and give their time and efforts generously to fulfil their obligations as elected members.
The council decided to defend all the claims made against it and over the last three years councillors have had to expend considerable time in dealing with the matter. So, we were pleased that the tribunal, in so comprehensively dismissing the case, effectively found that we had acted correctly throughout a long and stressful process.
In subsequent media interviews Ms Treacher has sought to portray herself as the ‘victim’ in the case. However, if she is a ‘victim’ then she is so at her own hand.
It was she who resigned her post and she, not the council, who instigated the legal action.
She also makes claims about the actions of the council in relation to COVID-19 precautions which are, again, incorrect.
In fact, the council acted appropriately and in accordance with official guidelines at the time.
She now states that she faces financial hardship because the council is seeking to recover costs it incurred in defending itself against these unfounded claims.
However, as a council we have a duty to act in the best interests of the community we serve and, as that includes ensuring that public funds are spent wisely, then we are right to do so.
This whole matter has been unfortunate and regrettable but it has not been of our making.
Our focus now is on doing the job my colleagues and I were elected to do.

Annette Magnus chair of Tydd St Mary Parish Council