Published at 10:33, Saturday, 24 July 2010

A COUNCILLOR suspended after claims of sending “bullying” emails has been granted an appeal.

Councillor Tim Bell was suspended from Barrow Borough Council on June 17.

He has now appealed to the Local Government Standards for England, which has agreed to hear his case.

An investigation will now be held to determine whether he was rightfully banned. He will be allowed to re-join the council while the investigation is under way.

A result is expected in nine to 10 weeks.

Cllr Bell said: “That was quite a fair decision by the Standards for England judge. The standards board of the council took a decision to suspend me, I put in an appeal and it has been accepted.

“At the end of the day I’m here to protect the public interest and ensure good leadership.”

Cllr Bell was suspended after sending emails to both members and non-members of the council.

The borough council’s standard’s committee said the emails sent by the councillor criticised the council’s leadership and public transparency.

Cllr Bell said: “I think some of the issues that I raised, such as the concerns of leadership, have now been addressed since the elections in May, so it is all a bit retrospective.

“I think a lot of what happened was just a misinterpretation of my intentions.

“Following the Legionnaires’ Disease incident, the council has to be transparent and take advice without interpreting it as criticism. We are moving in the right direction.”

Independent Cllr Bell, who represents the Dalton South ward, was suspended following complaints from Councillor Ray Guselli, who chairs the council’s executive committee.

In the complaints, Cllr Guselli accused Cllr Bell of failing to treat others with respect, bullying, bringing the authority into disrepute and disclosing confidential information.

Democratic services manager for the borough council, John Huck, said: “Councillor Bell’s suspension has been stayed from Tuesday until the appeal has been determined. He will be allowed back into council meetings to carry out his duties as normal.”

Cllr Bell is a former health and safety expert for an oil company.

At his suspension hearing in June he said he did not deny sending the emails but said his “exuberance” and “tenacious” attitude may have been mistaken for bullying.

A spokesman for the Local Government Standards in England confirmed it granted his appeal on Tuesday.

Both parties will now be contacted and the matter sorted out.

If both parties agree the matter needs to be sent to an oral hearing, a date will be set and a decision made on the day.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk