EVIDENCE of “dysfunctional relationships” and “systemic” problems have been found within a County Durham town council.

Durham County Council’s (DCC) governance solicitor Laura Renaudon made the remarks about Ferryhill Town Council following complaints against Ferryhill Mayor, Cllr David Farry.

Four town councillors, Ken, Campbell, Carole Atkinson, Kath Conroy and Zena Roddam, and one county councillor, Brian Avery, complained about the alleged conduct of Cllr Farry to DCC - all of which he has denied.

In a decision notice, Ms Renaudon said there was “evidence of increasingly dysfunctional relationships in a council that already demands a disproportionate amount of the Monitoring Officer’s time and attention”.

She added: “The problems at Ferryhill appear more systemic than merely behavioural concerns relating to Cllr Farry or any individual members.”

Complaints against Cllr Farry arose from a meeting in July this year and were the latest of several made against the elected member since the May 2017 elections.

They accused him of refusing to take advice from and being “abrasive and abrupt” towards the town clerk while county Cllr Brian Avery alleged he had a “vendetta” and had “led a personal assault of bullying and humiliation” against the clerk.

Following a review, Ms Renaudon was unable to establish evidence of bullying or intimidatory behaviour but found the handling of motions by Cllr Farry and his “allies” could be deemed to be disrespectful to the clerk.

An accusation that Cllr Farry warned Cllr Kath Conroy she would be asked to leave a meeting was also unsubstantiated.

Ms Renaudon said: “A review of the recording and transcript of this meeting, and the minutes of earlier meetings, suggests that there may be some deep-seated problems at Ferryhill concerning the precision or validity of motions put forward, the rules of debate, and the understanding of the role of the clerk.”

Although no investigation will take place, Ms Renaudon said the possibility of an inquiry into conduct of an individual member could not be discounted.

She concluded the council would be asked to accept the involvement of the County Durham Association of Local Councils.

It was suggested this would include all members undergoing training on the roles of councillors and the clerk while Cllr Farry and committee chairmen should have additional training on the role of the chairman.

He has been asked to attend a meeting with the Monitoring officer to discuss “acceptable conduct and behaviour”.

Cllr Farry said he was disappointed with Mr Renaudon’s response which he said was “based on assumptions” but welcomed being found “not guilty” of bullying behaviour towards the clerk.

He disputed that Cllr Avery had attended meetings this year, adding: “I find it very disappointing that fellow councillors are blatantly lying and are bringing this office and council into disrepute.”

Cllr Farry said training was already being delivered off the back of a previous complaint against another councillor.