OSWLEBURY Parish Council has been rocked by a new crisis after three councillors have resigned with immediate effect.
Chairman of the council Anthony Manship has stood down after eight years on the council and seven in charge with vice chairman John Chapman stepping in to fill his shoes.
Mr Manship said his motives for resigning were not political but wanted to concentrate on his dental practice in Main Road.
“There’s no politics at all. I wanted to stand down. There’s another year to go before people go to the polls but lots of people across the county resign before elections.
“I have had enough, I have served my stint,” he said.
Outspoken councillor Gerry Tull has been elected as vice chairman in Cllr Chapman’s place while Cllrs Malcolm Pallant and Ellen Catterson have also stepped down.
Cllr Tull, who was unanimously elected vice-chairman, said: "I feel I can do enough mischief without being a vice-chairman. Since the last episode when I was charged there was a very bad period for about three months but then people began to realise that I'm here to stay.
“I feel it's my duty to question absolutely everything, other people just accept things,” he said.
He added: “The previous clerk went because of me and I think the chairman just couldn't handle it anymore.”
Mr Pallant has stepped down to concentrate on other charity matters, and Ms Catterson to concentrate on her work too.
John Chapman, said: “I am honoured to be elected chairman by my colleagues and thank Anthony for his contribution over many years.
“I am delighted that Gerry Tull has been elected Vice-Chairman, he will continue to provide his unique value to village affairs.
“We have a lively council determined to keep Owslebury as one of the best villages in Hampshire in which to live.”
Mr Pallant – who resigned a few weeks ago – has been replaced by Cllr Paul Phillips.
Cllr Chapman added: “We have two vacancies on the council, so parishioners who want to help us should put their names forward for councillor as soon as possible by contacting the clerk.”
In November last year, Cllr Tull was convicted of using threatening behaviour at a council meeting after a trial at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.
The agricultural contractor, of Main Road, Owslebury, had denied threatening behaviour against Mr Manship.
He was given a two-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs.
Cllr Tull could only have been automatically disqualified from sitting on the council had he been jailed for three months or longer.
Mr Manship said: “I don’t mind [Cllr Tull] being elected in that position,” adding that he wouldn’t mind him being elected onto any council position.
Previously Mr Manship said: “The council is in a difficult position. It has a difficult personality when he comes up against an issue he does not agree with. He does not like to debate things, he likes to get his own way.”
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