Council seeks to end bullying

The Devon council where bullying was exposed by outside assessors has voted for action to stop it happening again.

Torridge District Council set up working groups with short deadlines to come up with ways to improve attitudes and performance highlighted by the report.

No one has so far resigned and no named councillors have yet been held responsible for what was described as a climate of fear on the authority.

The public gallery of Bideford town hall was packed for the council's emergency debate about the report which was published last month.

The review was carried out by senior figures from Forest of Dean and Shropshire under the government's Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

It said the authority had effectively been crippled by the fear bullying.

Fragile morale

It said: "Bullying and harassment was carried out by just a few members, but the impact of their behaviour is felt in all parts of the council."

The bullying had not been challenged and had been "allowed to become endemic", according to the findings.

It also said that although many staff were committed and had a lot to offer, the council was condemned for being patriarchal, archaic and inward looking.

Staff were treated like children, with a sad lack of trust.

They said morale was as "fragile as a soufflé", and could collapse at any time.

The inspection was done before the latest elections and there have been some changes in membership.

There is also a new chief executive in charge and the report says that Torridge does recognise this is a turning point.