A ‘domineering and aggressive’ parish council chairman has resigned after being told he needs training following a code of conduct breach. Herefordshire Council’s monitoring officer and independent person concluded that Cradley and Storridge Parish Council chairman, Geoff Fielding, breached the code of conduct on November 14th and recommended that he should receive training.

Councillor Fielding’s resignation notice was on November 22nd and a casual vacancy has arisen at the parish council.

The complaint decision notice explained how a parish councillor for Cradley Parish Council directly attributed his resignation to the behaviour of Councillor Fielding. A former clerk to the parish council also attributed his behaviour to their resignation.

The complaint notice said: “Councillor Fielding has on occasion demonstrated domineering, aggressive and confrontational behaviour. Although clearly an enthusiastic councillor from a local parish council, the manner in which he has conducted himself has at times caused others to feel intimidated.”

Councillor Fielding said he did not wish to comment but emphasised that the resignation had nothing to do with the conduct breach.

There are currently four vacancies at the parish council following recent resignations. A by-election is scheduled for two of the vacancies on December 20th and residents have until December 7th to request an election for the seat of former councillor Simon Davies.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.