A COUNCILLOR and former Saltney mayor acted “disrespectfully” towards his colleagues, a tribunal heard yesterday.
Cllr Klaus Armstrong-Braun is alleged to have called a fellow councillor a “moral degenerate” during a meeting of Saltney Town Council and referred to his colleagues as “wild bisons and spoilt brats” in a Press article.
An Adjudication Panel for Wales hearing into his conduct follows complaints to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) and will consider a catalogue of alleged breaches of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, which also include:
l Comments about Saltney being a “backwater” in his first meeting as town mayor in 2008 and his refusal to withdraw the remark.
l Contacting the widow of the former mayor regarding an allowance which the town council had allocated to the ex-mayor.
l Refusing to account to the town council for how he spent the mayoral allowance.
l Disclosing confidential information made by fellow councillors at a private meeting to discuss preparation of the town council’s business plan by writing a letter to the headteacher of St David’s High School, Saltney.
l Several breaches of conduct made during Saltney Town Council meetings.
A PSOW report to the hearing concluded Cllr Armstrong-Braun had acted “disrespectfully” during a meeting of the town council in which he called Cllr William Crawford a “moral degenerate” and a “coward”.
Investigating officer Cathering Cromton told the panel: “Cllr Armstrong-Braun had a major role as mayor to ensure the smooth running of council meetings so business could be discussed in a proper and dignified manner.
“You may wish to consider the extent to which he brought matters onto himself.”
The tribunal also heard from town council clerk Alan Thorniley who, when commenting on Cllr Armstrong-Braun’s behaviour, said: “I have never seen in all my days a chairman who acted in the way he did.
“In meetings he would start banging the gavel in a manner which wound people up.”
He said Cllr Armstrong-Braun and Cllr Crawford were like “oil and water,” adding: “They did not get on in any way, shape or form.”
The tribunal also heard from fellow Saltney Cllr Veronica Gay, who, like Cllr Armstrong-Braun, represents Saltney on Flintshire Council.
Cross-examining Cllr Gay, Cllr Armstrong-Braun, who represented himself but was supported by friend Colin Barber, asked why she had taken offence when he referred to Saltney as a “backwater”.
Cllr Gay said the comment was “derogatory,” adding: “How can you represent something when you don’t feel proud of it?
“Saltney is a very warm community.”
If found guilty of a breach Cllr Armstrong-Braun faces a warning about his future conduct, a suspension as councillor up to 12 months or a total ban on being or becoming a member of any relevant authority for up to five years.
The tribunal is expected to last four days.
BLOB THE panel refused a request by Cllr Armstrong-Braun for an adjournment in order for him to claim indeminity from Flintshire Council to cover the cost of legal aid.
Panel chairman Kate Berry said: “It will be a likely waste of funds to adjourn at such short notice.
“He has had every opportunity to prepare his case.”
Proceeding.