Northumberland parish council issues apology to former clerk who made complaint

Jill Hall was clerk and responsible financial officer at North Sunderland Parish Council for six years until November 2019 when she resigned and lodged a claim for constructive unfair dismissal.

No further details of the complaint have been made public but the matter has now been settled by both parties without the need for a tribunal.

Ms Hall has received an open letter from the parish council acknowledging its ‘short fallings’.

The letter, signed by chairman Geoffrey Stewart, states: ‘It is with regret that the short fallings and lack of care of the parish council as an employer went unaddressed for too long which led to her resignation.

‘She was a conscientious and hard-working member of staff and implemented a number of new practices/systems which have positively benefited the parish council.

‘The parish council would like to thank her for her contribution during this time.’

Ms Hall, speaking afterwards, said: “I felt so welcomed when I came to live in Seahouses some eight years ago and I will always remember the kindness shown by local residents when my partner tragically died three years after arriving here.

“It was, therefore, a dreadful experience to endure the undeserved behaviour of the parish council.

“I am very sad that the situation occurred at all because my only reason for accepting the position of clerk to the parish council was to, hopefully, help to do something positive in the village which is located in a lovely area with many lovely people.”

North Sunderland Parish Council, in a statement, said: “Jill Hall resigned as parish clerk at the end of November 2019.

“There has been no tribunal and therefore no case.

“Ms Hall requested a settlement and an apology which the parish council agreed in order that Ms Hall did not need to attend a tribunal.

“The apology and the settlement which were worded by Ms Hall and her solicitor were agreed by the parish council and duly signed by the chairman.”

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