A Sandbach town councillor has disputed the bullying allegations that led to him being blocked from emailing council staff.

Cllr David Jack used the public speaking section of last Thursday's (4 February) finance, policy and governance committee meeting to question the basis of the action taken.

The chair of the meeting, Cllr Alan Smith, was initially hesitant to allow Cllr Jack, a committee member, to ask a question in this section, saying: "I would rather have members of the public ask questions because you can respond."

Cllr Jack said it was his "right under standing orders" and was then allowed to ask a question when no members of the public requested to do so.

The Sandbach Town ward councillor said: "You, yourself as chair of governance and the mayor, as chair of the council used standing order 27 to suspend my emails to council staff on the allegation that I had sent emails that were 'threatening, bullying or intimidating'. You claim to have received a report from an independent person."

"In the letter you sent me, you said that any questions I had to staff or any items I wanted should be filed through the mayor or the deputy mayor or the chair of committees to obtain the information I request."

Cllr Jack claims he has requested a copy of the report "17 times" and a copy of the "alleged emails" which he has not received.

In a testy exchange, Cllr Smith tried to answer the question that Cllr Jack said he had not finished asking with the chair then having him muted.

Through repeated interruptions by Cllr Jack, Cllr Smith said the matter could not be discussed as it is considered "confidential", adding that they had received advice from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils; an organisation overseen by Jackie Weaver.

Cllr Smith went onto say that all councillors backed the action to suspend Cllr Jack's ability to contact staff at a previous meeting. Cllr Jack alleges his colleagues were "misled".

Cllr Jack unmuted himself several times and said: "Is this the Stasi? Is that we are now?"

Cllr Jack has challenged Cllr Smith and the mayor, Cllr Geraint Price Jones, to show him the report and evidence of the emails.

Following the exchange, Cllr Jack left the Zoom call and the meeting continued with its agenda.

Sandbach Nub News has contacted Cllrs Price Jones and Smith about the claims made by Cllr Jack, but no response was given in time for publication.

In his letter to Cllr Jack on the issue sent in November, the mayor writes: "Following a series of email exchanges between yourself and the employees of Sandbach Town Council, referencing the Council's staff as a whole and individuals, it has been brought to the attention of the Mayor that the content of these emails has caused offence to more than one employee; recently affecting our duty of care as an employer.

"Having sought external, independent, professional advice regarding this matter, a decision under Standing Order 27 has been taken, which instructs the Council's IT provider to sever all official email connection addressed from David Jack to Council employees, with immediate effect and until further notice."

You can listen to last week's finance meeting here.