Respected councillor resigns after meeting

A long-standing Freshwater parish councillor has resigned following an acrimonious monthly parish meeting at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday. Gill Kennett walked off stage following an argument between councillors, after they had been asked to comment on a letter from Neil Aplin, the chairman of Freshwater Bay Residents’ Association (FBRA).

The letter was read out by parish clerk, Heather Rowell, and chairman, Emma Cox, then asked if anybody had anything to say about the correspondence.

Yesterday Cllr Cox gave this statement to the IW Observer: “An item of correspondence from Freshwater Bay Residents’ Association was read out at the parish council meeting on September 3, to formulate an accurate reply. The disagreement that followed was related to the correspondence, but not a response. Cllr Hicklin made statements concerning a previous meeting of the parish council that was referred to in the correspondence.

“Cllr Cox refuted his claims, saying that his version was not an accurate account of the said meeting. Cllr Cox believed that, by not challenging Cllr Hicklin’s account that, it would appear that his version was correct and felt that the true account needed to be put on public record to protect the reputation of the parish council. “

Members of FBRA walked out of the meeting claiming ‘It’s just bullying’ as the discussion deteriorated with the meeting breaking-up early.

Afterwards Cllr Kennett confirmed: “I have stepped down from the parish council. I have served as a councillor for 23 years. There have always been ups and downs but it’s been a very difficult time recently.

“I was very unhappy with things that were said and sometimes you just feel that something is wrong. I’m going to miss it a lot.”