Following the resignation last week of Mike Thorne as chairman of the De Valence Trust, a town councillor has given her version of events leading to her own resignation from the Trust.
Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain, who was nominated as a representative on the De Valence board of trustees when she was elected as a councillor in May last year, has also sent a letter of resignation to the Trust following their last meeting.
"The reasons that the Trust gave in the press last week to explain Clr. Thorne's resignation as chairman would suggest that it was solely to do with the public rowing between himself and I," Clr. Mrs. Putwain told her council colleagues at their meeting on Tuesday night.
"However, at the meeting of the Trust, he also said that the 'buck stopped with him' over the Trust's financial difficulties and that, because the deficit had happened under his chairmanship, he offered his resignation.
"It was forcibly suggested to me at the Trust's meeting that I should go too and, after consulting with the town clerk over the matter, that is what I have done," added Clr. Mrs. Putwain.
Town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, explained to the council that he had been in contact with the county's monitoring officer on the new code of conduct rules to see whether both councillors were now able to speak on matters raised at meetings relating to the De Valence Trust.
"It's the responsibility of the individual councillor to declare an interest on any matters arising and up to them to inform the council whether they believe they have a personal or prejudicial interest," said Mr. Davies.
Based on their continuing liability with the De Valence Trust, the two councillors will not be able to speak in the chambers for the next 12 months on any financial matters involving the Trust.