Clevedon Town Council has lost its public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, and fidelity insurance for undisclosed reasons.
The council, which earlier this year failed to agree arrangements for a working committee structure, had “an issue with its insurance policy,” according to the message posted on the council’s website. Uninsured since 5pm of August 14, the council had to close its facilities.
Part of the notice reads: “Access to these services and facilities during this time is strictly forbidden: town council offices and room bookings; seafront tennis courts; activities at The Barn (not including the Children’s Centre area); Herbert Gardens and tennis courts; [and] Cemetery, Church Hill, Highdale Avenue, Moor Lane, Victoria Road, and Westbourne Avenue allotments.”
Additionally, the council’s phone line is currently not being monitored, with the public advised to contact local ward councillors directly.
Meanwhile, a report by The Guardian quoted Clevedon Town Council chair Trevor Morgan as saying: “Pretty much everything has ground to a halt. It’s hit the council for six. We’re in uncharted waters.
“We have had our insurances revoked, which has meant we are unable to operate on a day-to-day basis. We have lost our public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, and fidelity insurance. It’s created a really difficult situation and we’re stuck.
“There’s very few insurance companies in the UK that will insure lower-tier local authorities. We haven’t got many companies we can go to. We’re finding it challenging at the moment.”
The circumstances surrounding the revocation appear to be confidential information.
“We’ve been told we can’t make [the reason] public at this stage,” Morgan said. “I’m not being difficult. I can say it’s not anything to do with the actions of our staff.”
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