PETERSFIELD Town Council's officers have issued a joint statement after their union representative claimed, last week, that the dispute between them and officers was threatening the stability of the council. Last week, Unison trade union regional organiser Mike Wilson revealed he believed the town council stood: "On the brink of collapse" due to the bitter feud between members and their officers. This week in a statement signed by town clerk Barbara Macken, her deputy Sue McMorran and the four other council officers involved, said: "The officers at Petersfield Town Council wish to put on record that they support all efforts to settle the dispute at the town council. "The six officers have, from the very beginning, co-operated, if they have been able, with any measures towards a satisfactory outcome. Officers support the continued involvement of ACAS and also support their Unison representative Mike Wilson in his efforts to settle this dispute. "It is with much regret that officers learned of Mrs Butler's resignation from the council. As chairman of the staff panel, she had made great efforts to resolve the difficulties currently being experienced at the town council. "Officers sincerely hope this matter will be settled amicably in the near future." Last week, The Herald revealed Mr Wilson had told town councillors in July that officers believed councillors were making their positions "almost untenable and their jobs almost impossible". He warned them that if there was a complete breakdown of relations, officers could have no alternative but to take legal action." He told The Herald that he believed the town council was no nearer a solution to the dispute than it had been three months ago after the resignation of Mrs Butler. Town mayor Vaughan Clarke told The Herald he did not accept that the town council was about to break down and said threats of litigation were "not a terribly helpful suggestion".
