Attleborough town councilors plead for a truce after claims they have been ‘bitten, slapped, and sworn at in the street’ by ‘nutters on Facebook’
A Norfolk council has pleaded for a truce after finding itself in an extraordinary war with its own townsfolk, accusing locals of acts of intimidation and violence against members.
Months of deepening tensions between Attleborough Town Council and voters have recently boiled over at fiery meetings which have been interrupted by heckling and calls for resignations.
Locals have been expressing anger at a series of unpopular decisions taken by the council as well as the handling of a scandal involving one of its members who was recently charged with criminal damage.
Several social media pages have been set up to lambast the authority for what critics say is its reluctance to address complaints, with sites showing cartoon depictions of some members.
However, the councillors themselves claim they are being unfairly targeted in what they describe as a “campaign of hate” and have taken on their critics, with one describing them as “nutters on Facebook”.
Things came to a head at a meeting this week with councillors outlining extraordinary allegations of the intimidation and violence they say they are facing, including being bitten, slapped in the face, sworn at in the streets and even having their cars tampered with.
However, the claims were sneered at by locals, who accused the authority of “hypocrisy” and coddling its members at the expense of taxpayers.
WHY DID THE RIFT START?
The dispute has been rumbling for several months with councillors under fire for a number of decisions they have taken collectively.
These have included the move to take back and manage a building used by Attleborough Town Football Club and its scheduling of a Christmas market on the same weekend as an independently-run festive carnival, resulting in its temporary cancellation.
But there has also been criticism of councillors over non-council activities, including their business dealings.
Much of this seems to date back to March when one councillor, Daniel Burcham, had his offer of a lease for the town’s Bear pub withdrawn by its owners, the Taylor family.
Three generations of the family, John, his daughter Samantha and her daughter Taila also sit on the council.
Mr Burcham had run the pub for two months when the deal fell apart, which the Taylors say was due to a failure to comply with the terms of the lease.
While Mr Burcham soon took over another Attleborough pub, the Griffin, his departure from the Bear sparked controversy on local Facebook groups, where there was criticisms of the Taylor family’s handling of the deal.
The family deny any wrongdoing and believe they have unfairly become a target for criticism, including for decisions which the whole council has taken.
COUNSELLING FOR COUNCILLORS
As the rift deepened, and criticism grew, the council passed a controversial agreement at a meeting in April to fund therapy for any councillors who felt they needed it because of the stress of the situation.
During this meeting, at Attleborough Town Hall in Queen’s Square, several councillors claimed the online criticism had worsened their mental health.
Alas, the move further enraged locals in the town, one of the fastest-growing in Norfolk and home to more than 12,000 people.
CURIOUS INCIDENT IN THE NIGHT
Tensions between locals and the authority then worsened last month after it emerged one councillor, Stephen Fraser – who also sits on Breckland Council – had been charged with criminal damage.
The charge related to a bizarre late night incident in which a shop window in the town centre was smashed.
CCTV footage showed Taila Taylor, who was then the town mayor, near the scene at the time.
Although she is not facing any criminal action, locals have questioned why she did not report the matter to the police.
Miss Taylor denies any wrongdoing and claims she did not witness the alleged incident.
FLARE UP IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
The acrimony flared up in spectacular style at a rowdy meeting this week, with normal council business side-tracked by discussion of the dispute.
Sharon Smyth, the council clerk, gave an extraordinary 10-minute-long speech in which she pleaded with members of the public to treat the councillors with a greater degree of respect.
She said the Taylors had experienced members of the public banging on their windows and doors, had their car headlights smashed, and claimed Miss Taylor had been “bitten” by a customer at their pub, the London Tavern.
She also said Mr Fraser had been called a “w****r” and “c**t” in the street, slapped in the face, and had the bolts removed from his car wheels.
She said the effect of criticism on social media was “extremely damaging to the recipients and to the town’s reputation”.
“Some unknown individuals using fake profiles have taken it upon themselves to treat councillors with disrespect,” she added.
“In the name of so-called satire, the ridiculing of councillors, namely the Taylors, by way of cartoon depictions, can only be meant as malicious.
“However, when challenged, the commenters on such odious pages say we should all lighten up and get a sense of humour. This is easy if you’re not on the receiving end.
“I have seen first-hand the negative effects on councillors, some of which have been very, very worrying.
“Decent conduct is something we are all expected to demonstrate in the town. We can hardly demand our councillors uphold the code of conduct but at the same time be free to conduct a campaign of hate.
“I’m appealing for those decent members of the town to challenge this behaviour. It is not right and who knows where it could all lead.”
She highlighted how the ongoing rancour came at a time when the authority was still trying to recruit new councillors.
It currently has three vacancies to fill, to bring it up to its full complement of 15.
The authority is non-political, although Samantha and Taila Taylor, represent the Conservatives on Breckland Council.
PUBLIC FIGHT BACK
Despite the plea for a truce, members of the public at the meeting responded in outrage at the “hypocrisy” of the speech.
The decision to offer therapy for councillors, which was taken several days after Mr Fraser’s arrest but before the allegations were made public, has been a particular source of outrage.
Richard Allington, the shop owner whose window was found shattered, has demanded at meetings to be told “how many [councillors] knew?” about the allegations facing Mr Fraser before they were revealed by this newspaper.
Those watching the meeting this week described councillors as “absolute liars” and accused some of being “bullies”.
These comments were met with applause from the rest of the audience.
The meeting descended into further chaos after Samantha Taylor, who is also chairman of Breckland Council, told those present that her daughter had not witnessed the criminal damage incident and denied having requested therapy.
She added: “A few nutters on Facebook aren’t going to drive me to that.”
Amid much shouting, the mayor repeatedly banged his gavel to restore order.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Despite the rising tensions, some councillors appeared to be supportive of the view of the public and agreed they should be seen as “role models” and held to a high standard in all parts of their lives.
Vera Dale said: “In my book, if you’re a councillor, you’re a councillor 24/7.
“Recently, I’ve been told that is an old-fashioned attitude. But it is one I will stick to.”
Her comments were met with applause and cheering from those watching.
Andy Westby, the mayor, said he “felt exactly the same” and believed councillors should be expected to uphold standards in all areas of their lives.
Ms Dale added: “I’m not on social media and I’m quite happy.”
The council is currently seeking legal advice regarding the social media posts made about councillors and has suggested some of these may be libellous.
Mr Fraser, who has resigned from the Conservative Party since being charged, is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court next week.
