How can a PC deal with serious allegations against its clerk when senior councillors refuse to take any action?

Question

How can a Parish Council investigate an allegation of gross misconduct against its clerk when several senior councillors, including the Chairman, are implicated in the allegations and they defend the clerk and refuse to take any action?

Answer 1

There are no such things as 'senior councillors - except perhaps in age. All members of a council are equal. If there are a sufficient number of members wishing to see the clerk's conduct examined then such a matter can be voted through. If there are not, then it might be difficult to make headway within the council itself but if the alligations have any foundation it would seem highly likely that there are breaches of the Code of Conduct by members. Such matters should be referred to the Monitoring Officer of your primary council.