Factional Ledbury Town Council to seek professional mediation

The decision has been widely welcomed by local residents, who say the ongoing rows are casting the town in a very bad light.

And there have also been calls for town councillors to remember why they were elected in the first place: to serve the town.

On the Ledbury Reporter Facebook site, Lyn-Marie Norton said of the rows: "The whole thing reflects badly on the town, ironically a town trying to promote values."

Laura Clarke asked: "How can a council that can't work together do the right things for our town?"

Katherine Gladwin said: "People who blatantly can't stand each other do not work well together and can't be fully beneficial to the town."

Some residents say it is time for the blame game to stop.

Claire Lewis said: "Blaming is not going to help. There must be wrong on both sides. Look ahead and allow the council to move forward."

However, Ledbury Rotarian Jan Long said public service lay at the very heart of the solution, first and foremost.

On a post on the Facebook site, Voice of Ledbury, she said: "Before any mediation has a chance of success, there needs to be a clear acknowledgement, by all concerned, of the council's prime purpose, which is to serve the people of Ledbury.

"I don't think anyone expects a kiss and make up scenario, but many of the people of Ledbury to whom I have spoken do want a return to the professionalism we have always been used to, by those who serve us so well with such dedication and real hard work. Please let us see an end to spite and sniping which is so damaging to the town's image."

The idea of mediation was discussed at the full town council meeting of June 8, at Ledbury Methodist Church, where a resolution from the parish meeting of May 31, for the town council to seek professional mediation, was voted on and approved by town councillors.

The idea of mediation, which is likely to involved funds from the public purse, was presented at the full town council meeting by a member of the public, during the period allowed for public participation.

Jane Horton said: "I am concerned about the depth of division around this table. It's beyond anything you can deal with yourselves. We have to work it out. We've haven't got an election for two years.

"You guys, call in professional help, to help you heal the divisions."

Ledbury's newly elected mayor, Cllr Elaine Fieldhouse said: "I will look into it. I have already agreed to some mediation, anyway."

But Cllr Tony Bradford said he did not recognise himself as a councillor having "problems with other councillors".

He said: "I am not arguing. I debate. I'm not arguing with any of my fellow councillors."

Later in the meeting, when the resolutions from the parish meeting were discussed by town councillors, fourteen voted in favour of the proposal for the council to seek professional mediation. There was one abstention, from Cllr Bradford, who said again, after the meeting, that he did no bear any fellow councillor any ill feeling.