Normandy Parish Clerk Sacked After Critical Audit Report

Published on: 5 May, 2021
Updated on: 8 May, 2021

By Hugh Coakley

The Normandy Parish Council clerk, Mr Leslie Clarke, was sacked today (May 5), effective immediately.

The dismissal by the interim council, ending his more than 17 years of service, follows publication of the highly critical audit report commissioned by the interim council (see Normandy Parish Audit Reveals ‘Breakdown In Control’ By Former Council).

Sources told The Dragon Mr Clarke was handed the official dismissal letter in the parish office, a shed next to his home. Mr and Mrs Alan Cheesman, the former parish council chair and his ex-councillor wife Val, were also said to be present.

The couple had proposed and seconded Mr Clarke’s candidature in the parish council election tomorrow (May 6), although he is believed unqualified because he was a parish employee at time of application (see Unease Over Clerk Standing In Normandy Parish Council Election).

The 86-year-old former Army officer has been signed off sick with stress until May 7. An interim parish clerk was appointed during his absence.