Seven of the 15 councillors on Uppingham Town Council have resigned in protest at what they see as conflicts of interest that may harm the council's reputation.

At a packed meeting on Wednesday 19 June 19, chairperson Cllr David Ainslie, was shocked to receive no less than seven resignation letters at once.

Tom Johnson, Godfrey Jennings, Pete Rees, Pat Dalby, Sam Findlay, Mike Fish and Ray Sutton all resigned as councillors, each reading out resignation letters.

The seven resigning councillors say that the other councillors have formed what they term as a 'group' who have then 'plotted' to steer the interests of the council away from wholly independent thinking. They instead claim there is 'collusion' between that group on the council and the limited company, Uppingham First, which they see as a 'quango'.

Their argument is that over the years since Uppingham First was incorporated as a limited company in 2009, that this group within the council have aligned their interests with those of Uppingham First, to the extent that they now dominates all the decisions made by the council, and that this cannot be in the interests of the people of Uppingham who elected them.

They point to the fact that the chairperson and vice-chairperson of every committee of Uppingham Town Council is a member of this 'group' supporting the interests of Uppingham First.

Cllr Pete Rees, who had represented the people of Uppingham for more than 30 years, said in the meeting: "When I was first voted onto this council all 15 members were wholly independent in thought and in deed. While I did not always agree with or vote with them, I always knew that they were selfless on deliberation on council matters.

"In 2019, all this changed when two councillors, frustrated by not being able to push their agendas, decided to form a group and eventually swelled their numbers to eight – which is an important number because it gives them a majority, and therefore complete control of the council.

"But the people of Uppingham rejected this group idea, and instead supported the status quo of independent councillors. Unfortunately this group continued to try to take over the town, and at the last AGM they filled every chairperson and vice-chairperson position of all the committees of the council.

"I strongly feel that this is not what the people of Uppingham voted for in 2019, and if given the opportunity would not vote for it now. Therefore, in all good conscience I feel that I cannot continue as a member of the council."

Uppingham First is a 'community partner' of Uppingham Town Council, which describes itself as 'bringing the voices of community, business and statutory forums… incorporated as a limited company… to protect and promote the interests of Uppingham town helping to sustain its vitality and economic vitality ensuring it remains an attractive place to live work and play.'

Uppingham Business First is a group of seven local business proprietors who are the business directors of Uppingham First, and, as a group act as an executive of the business forum, reporting back as required.

Cllr Pat Dalby said: "When the independent examiner asked for further clarification of the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan in April, six councillors voted against our proposed response, in part due to a lack of perceived transparency and superficial consulting.

"All six councillors abstained because one particular individual councillor was chosen to represent the entire council at the hearing. There appeared to be little or no consideration to how the neighbourhood plan would fit into the strategic objectives of the county wide local plan

"I worried about what could appear as conflicting interests, especially when set against the abundance of bungalows with insufficient affordable houses in the neighbourhood plan, and I believe the plan was not fit for purpose, a view echoed by the independent examiner, as well as Rutland County Council planning and highways.

"I have concerns from the conduct of meetings and poor communications, that the risk of the public believing there are perceived conflicts of interests, harms the council's reputation."

Cllr Godfrey Jennings added: "The structures that have been developed in Uppingham Town Council, largely by a small coterie of influential individuals who are business oriented, but claim to be community focussed, has meant that UTC is barely relevant apart from statutory duties and requirements.

"Key influential individuals are councillors as well as members of Uppingham First, Uppingham Vanguard, Uppingham Forum etc, and though they deny any conflict of interest, it seems to me they use the council to ensure that UTC is merely a body to do some 'rubber-stamping'… therefore I am concerned the public may perceive there to be a conflict of interest to the discredit if the council as a whole."

All the resigning councillors left their seats at the council table and joined the members of the public who were heard to shout out comments such as 'You're here to serve us, not your own interests', and 'We elected you to serve the community, not Uppingham First'.

Several times chairperson Cllr Ainslie had to call for order, and eventually restored some quiet, before the majority of people walked out long before the meeting ended.

After the meeting closed, the chairman and mayor Cllr Ainslie issued a personal statement, which said: "I have known Peter Rees personally for over 30 years and I recognise his long period of service on the council and the fact that he cares passionately about the town that he was born and raised in.

"Whilst I don't agree with the picture that he painted on Wednesday night, I am genuinely sorry to see him and other long serving councillors resigning as I believe that the town council is stronger when we have the ability to hear opposing views aired in a polite and rationale manner.

"Unfortunately there has been a tendency recently for debates to become very personalised and as mayor I want the town council to focus upon delivering services for the benefit of the people of Uppingham, rather than indulging in political infighting."

Cllr Ainslie added: "In terms of filling the vacant seats, there is a formal process to be followed and I know that our locum clerk has already started this by reporting the resignations to Rutland County Council who will handle the appropriate notices in due course."

The next full council meeting of Uppingham Town Council is on July 10.