Village council faces £300k claim

The council met on Thursday to discuss the company's claim

A community council that spent more than its annual income unsuccessfully defending a court case is now facing a claim for damages of up to £300,000.

Manorbier Council in Pembrokeshire was taken to court by a local marketing firm over a £4,600 unpaid bill.

It spent around £18,000 fighting the claim but a judge ruled it must pay up.

The firm's owner claims the council has damaged her reputation and cost her business. A spokesman for the council said it was considering the matter.

Meanwhile, since the result of the court case, three of Manorbier's 10 councillors have resigned, although the council said the resignations "were not necessarily linked" to the hearing.

The council has also made a complaint of perjury to police against a number of individuals.

(The case) has resulted in considerable emotional anxiety and financial loss to me personally Debbie Garside ICT Marketing

Haverfordwest-based ICT Marketing Ltd submitted a bill in 2005 for £4,600 for a report it produced, based on a community survey.

Councillors voted to contest the bill but earlier this year a judge sitting at Haverfordwest County Court found in the marketing company's favour.

On top of the £18,000 the council spent on legal fees it was ordered to pay the £4,600 plus £700 in interest.

The company's managing director Debbie Garside has now informed the council she intends to pursue further legal action.

In a letter she said: "I will be making a claim for damages for defamation by Manorbier Community Council as a body as well as individual councillors.

Negotiations

"A claim will take the form of damages to both my personal reputation and that of ICT Marketing Ltd which has resulted in a considerable lack of business to ICT Marketing as well as emotional anxiety and financial loss to me personally."

She said she was considering a claim of £250,000 for loss of business and £50,000 for damage to her personal reputation.

Ms Garside added she was prepared to enter into negotiations to resolve the matter and gave the council two weeks to respond.

Council officer Clive Needs said: "At this point the council is considering the matter."

A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said the force had received complaints of perjury against a number of individuals and the matter was being "evaluated".