Honiton mayor has 'no knowledge of any complaints' of bullying – after fourth resignation in three months

Honiton's mayor John Zarczynski has said today he has 'no knowledge of any complaints' of bullying at Honiton Town Council, following criticisms made today by out going councillor James Wyatt.

Councillor Wyatt resigned from Honiton Town Council this morning. In his resignation letter Mr Wyatt outlined what he called 'a systematic process of belittling and isolating staff through small aggressions every day'.

He also raised concerns about the safety of reopening Honiton Market and how decisions have been made which affect public safety, 'outside of the view of the public'.

Mr Wyatt is the fourth councillor to resign since March and our sources say more resignations are expected on Monday.

Councillor Jason Hannay resigned on May 11, joining his brother Nathan Hannay who resigned earlier this year and deputy mayor Duncan Sheridan-Shaw who resigned on April 27. All three councillors mentioned bullying at the council in their resignation letters.

Nub News contacted Honiton's mayor John Zarczynski for his response to Mr Wyatt's claims and to ask where recent resignations leave the council as a whole.

"As chairman of the council I totally reject all the accusations made in former councillor Wyatt's letter of resignation," Mr Zarczynski told Nub News.

"The reopening of the market was handled democratically and with total transparency. Five very comprehensive risk assessments that were in line with EDDC Gate to Plate risk assessments also including correspondence to EHO were circulated to all councillors prior to councillors resolving to reopen the market by a majority vote.

"With regard to accusations of bullying, I have not witnessed any form of bullying and have no knowledge of any complaints to date of bullying or harassment ever having been made by members of HTC staff or councillors through the council's complaints procedure policy.

"I consider Mr Wyatt's claim that he felt the need to protect council staff very selective so I can only assume was designed to bring the council into disrepute in the eyes of the public.

"With the exception of longer serving former councillor Sheridan-Shaw, Mr Wyatt and the two other former councillors having only served on the council for a short time it appears due to their very limited knowledge of parish councils/local Authority policy and procedures it became clear Mr Wyatt and the former councillors found it difficult to accept that all proposals/business put before council is debated on merit and has to be agreed and resolved by a democratic majority vote."