Welshpool Town Council staff were caught in the crossfire of a row between the clerk and his deputy in a “very unhappy” workplace, an employment tribunal was told today (Tuesday).

Mayor Alison Davies said the personalities of former deputy town clerk Martin Bond and former town clerk Robert Robinson were “in conflict and life was not easy”, adding that shouting could be heard from their office.

Mr Bond has taken a case against Welshpool Town Council and Mr Robinson to claim he was wrongfully dismissed after whistle-blowing about faulty fire alarms at Welshpool Town Hall.

Councillor Davies said Mr Bond was dismissed within his six-month probation period because he was “not fitting in and made it unpleasant for staff” by being “discourteous and high-handed”.

“The staff made it clear that they would not work under these conditions," she said.

"The street scene team and office staff were very, very unhappy. There was shouting and aggression and it was not a happy place to be.

“People were nervous and that is not a healthy environment for anybody. We now have a happy functioning workforce."

She told Mr Bond in cross-examination: “I felt you should have had a fair chance and a period to improve and demonstrate to be capable to take over the position as town clerk.

"However, when I mentioned the matter, you were lacking any of self-awareness. I did believe it would be an uphill struggle. But I did feel you should be given a chance for another six weeks. It was actually a generosity on behalf of the staffing committee.

“The council had every right to ask you to leave (within the sixth-month probation) and you didn’t fit in.”

The tribunal also heard from staff members Phil Rollinson and Paul McGrath who both said that they were aware of the faulty alarm system and had reported it to their line manager Mr Robinson. Both said it was “frowned upon” for staff members, other than Mr Robinson, to talk to councillors about council matters.

Nine fire alarm inspections between October 2016 and May 2019 found the system was “unsatisfactory”. On Monday, the tribunal heard that councillors were first made aware of the problem in August 2019.

Current town council clerk Anne Wilson told today’s hearing that “there are quite a few fire alarm checklists missing” and that the council archives “seem to have an interesting arrangement with how they are filed”.

“The majority of paperwork I have seen does say that the fire alarms do not work,” she said. “It took nearly three days to sort through three or four feet of paperwork piled on Mr Robinson’s desk.”

Mr Robinson is expected to give his side tomorrow (Wednesday), followed by Mr Bond on Thursday, with the tribunal concluding on Friday (December 10).