A LACK of support and “unacceptable communications” within the town council have been given as the reasons why three Whitchurch councillors suddenly resigned.

Jackie Day, Linda Thomas and Paul McGarvey stood down from Whitchurch Town Council in October, with immediate effect.

Their resignation letters were read out at the council’s meeting on Monday, and pointed out that they were all elected to the council by the community.

Both Ms Thomas and Mr McGarvey said their resignations were a result of personal reasons. But Mrs Day’s letter said: “Due to recent events and communications within the council that I believe were unacceptable, I feel I have to stand down.”

When asked by The Gazette following the meeting what these communications were, she said she was unable to say and had left it open for the chairman, Councillor John Clark, to elaborate.

But Cllr Clark also refused to offer any further explanation. He said: “It would be difficult to quantify. There’s been an underlying current.”

He described the last few weeks as “traumatic”, adding: “It’s not been an easy time.”

However, the following day Mrs Day, pictured, sent a statement to The Gazette, on behalf of the councillors who had resigned, after hearing that Cllr Clark had refused to discuss the matter with our reporter.

It said: “Following last night’s full council meeting, and in the spirit of greater transparency, we would like to make it known that, in addition to individual reasons for resignations, there were also concerns regarding the town council’s ability to provide proper support and guidance for councillors when seeking to carry out their duties and responsibilities.”

The council is now looking for people to put themselves forward to replace the departed trio. The election is expected to take place on December 12.

At Monday’s meeting, councillors discussed ways of attracting new people, including more women and the younger generation.