“Public raise concerns over lack of action at council meeting
The public packed a Filton town council meeting last night, to raise their concerns regarding the resignation of their councillor from a local Labour branch.
Ex Filton Labour branch councillor, Bill Moore shocked councillors and residents at a finance meeting earlier this month, when he resigned due to the way in which he claimed he had been treated by another member, councillor Roger Hutchinson. Councillor Hutchinson denies any wrong doing.
At last nights meeting residents asked for an explanation from Filton Labour as to why there had been no comment from the Labour branch chair, Brian Mead or no announcement of an investigation due to councillors who represent Filton, are also the same ones at the branch meetings.
Councillor Mead again refused to comment to the public present and would not be drawn on whether an investigation should take place. District Labour councillor Adam Monk, who is chair of council did comment, saying that he was concerned about the allegations as bullying is a matter that should be looked into. Councillor Ian Scott, another Labour district councillor present, flatly refused to comment on the matter saying it was a Labour party matter only.
Residents were extremely unhappy with the lack of transparency over the matter and said they would be seriously considering who they vote for at the next local elections if action was not taken.Another branch member then announced he was resigning due to the situation and called for other Labour members to follow suit in protest.
It is understood that Independent Labour in Filton could grow as a result and threaten the strangle hold that Labour branch has on the parish and distrcit council positions at the next elections.”