Didcot town clerk disciplined over bus company remark

Didcot Town Council clerk Janet Wheeler gave her opinion on local company Whites Coaches, without having been asked for it, during a discussion of local services in November.

Ann Paterson, a town resident present at the meeting, made a complaint against Ms Wheeler, describing the clerk’s comment as an ‘outburst’ from a member of staff who should remain neutral on all matters unless asked for an opinion.

That complaint has now sparked a discussion around the balance the council should strike between updating its rules, and ‘delivering for Didcot’.

Also read: Driver 'narrowly' misses being hit by fence post

Ms Paterson said the comment made by Ms Wheeler during the meeting was a negative one, but would not reveal what it was.

Ms Paterson said: “I felt it wasn’t best behaviour, so I lodged a complaint. I was eventually listened to by three councillors.”

She added: “Had somebody asked her she was entitled to, but she decided to tell them her feelings.”

Ms Paterson’s complaint against the clerk was upheld.

Following the complaint hearing, Ms Paterson said she made a second complaint about the way DTC handled her first one, asking the council to review how it handled future complaints.

She said she felt as if she was ‘on trial’ for having lodged the first complaint and did not think the council had followed its own complaints procedure properly.

Didcot town councillor Neville Harris.

Independent Didcot town councillor Neville Harris supported Ms Paterson with her second complaint, and described her decision to pursue it as ‘courageous'.

Mr Harris said: “I think it is entirely wrong that a remunerated public servant gave their opinion in public, particularly when they are disparaging.”

The town councillor added it was important to remember that Ms Paterson's first complaint and second complaint were two separate issues.

Didcot Town Clerk Janet Wheeler. Picture: Henley Herald.

Ms Wheeler, who is paid £55,000 a year, said she was unable to comment on a staff matter, as DTC had a duty of care to all staff as an employer.

She added the council had a series of procedures which were under review.

Ms Wheeler said: “We have reviewed the governance procedure, we have reviewed quite a lot of other policies; Our complaints procedure is somewhat old and needs to be reviewed.”

The council’s leader Mocky Khan confirmed the complaints procedure was under review and added there needed to be a balance between the council’s duties of maintaining up to date rules, and of ‘delivering for Didcot.’

The Labour councillor said he would welcome any public comments on how complaints should be handled.

Didcot town council leader Mocky Khan.

Mr Khan said: “Yes, there are councillors who are looking at the procedure, but that is their prerogative.

“The key thing for the majority of the councillors is to do what is right for the community.”

He said his priorities included local parking, infrastructure and leisure facilities in the town which DTC could help provide.

Also read: Man who knifed his brother in kitchen claims he had no intent to harm

A spokesperson for the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils said:  "There is a difference between a complaint about process and about a particular person and their individual conduct.

"Complaints about staff are an internal matter for the council and are not for public consumption as they will concern personal details."

To maintain transparency, the town council is obliged to disclose information about highly paid staff.

The only member of staff whose salary meets the obligation is the clerk, who earns £55,000 a year according to DTC's website.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Neville Harris supported Ann Paterson and made a comment regarding her first complaint about the town clerk's behaviour.

He actually supported her in making a second complaint after she felt that the council's complaints procedure was not conducted properly.