A COUNCIL boss stepped down from her role as leader of Maldon District Council following a chaotic week for the local authority.

Maldon District Council has announced councillor Wendy Stamp has resigned from her position as Leader of Maldon District Council.

Councillor Stephen Nunn has also resigned as her Deputy Leader of the council.

The council has also said councillor Richard Siddall will take the role of Leader Designate, following his election by the Independent Group.

Councillor Jeanette Stilts has also been elected as Deputy leader of the Independent group.

The ratification of the Leader Designate and appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council will happen at a meeting on December 16.

Head of Paid Service, Richard Holmes said: “Both Councillors continue to be committed elected members of the Council representing their wards and the District, supporting all the good work they do for the communities they serve.

“These resignations come at a difficult time for Maldon District Council, however, as a local authority, we cannot state strongly enough that the media attention the Council has received in recent weeks has led to abuse against staff and Councillors.

"Staff are receiving daily episodes of abuse and threats of violence.

“We are putting out a message of zero tolerance and want to put a stop to unnecessary hateful behaviour, fuelled by unsubstantiated allegations.

"Our staff are simply doing their job and are key workers. They have every right to feel safe in the workplace and in their community.”

The move comes following an alleged altercation between controversial councillor Chrisy Morris and Mrs Stamps spouse Barry Stamp.

The alleged altercation came after a Maldon District Council’s meeting last week was abandoned early when Mr Morris was repeatedly shouting “point of order” and using a megaphone.

In a statement, Mrs Stamp says she is doing the right thing for the council and its staff.

She said: “I have and will always put the work of the Council, democratic process and staff safety first.

"By stepping down, I am taking the right steps to ensure what this Council and its staff have been subjected to in recent weeks stops.

“I am giving my fellow Councillors the opportunity to come together and stand up to what has been a hurtful attack on the Council, and I urge the media to look a little closer at the individuals who are causing this disruption.

“I will continue to repeat the statement made by the barrister who wrote the independent report on the sanctions placed upon Cllr Morris, it stated: Cllr Chrisy Morris demonstrates the capacity to lie, mislead and intimidate.”

Councillor Stephen Nunn added: “It is with sadness that I feel the need to resign as Deputy Leader in such circumstances.

"I’m doing this in support of councillor Wendy Stamp’s decision to resign but also, I feel this is the right thing to do to enable the Council to move forward in a positive way and to ensure democratic business can be heard and carried out without further disruption or delay.”