A councillor who quit a Suffolk town council after more than 25 years is blaming a culture "bordering on toxic" for his decision.

Steve Phillips, who has been a councillor since 1998, was one of four people to resign from Needham Market Town Council last week.

He said some councillors who “do almost zero” for the town were “the first to criticise the ones who do the most”.

East Anglian Daily Times:

Mr Phillips, Brian Annis, Josephine Lea and Xy Stansfield all gave resigned with immediate effect, along with town clerk Kevin Hunter and responsible finance officer Louise Mills.

In his resignation letter, councillor Phillips said: “I know that all councils have disagreements, but things were bordering on toxic at times with some councillors disagreeing for the sake of causing problems mainly due to lack of understanding.”

The representative’s full resignation read: “I have over the years not always agreed with the way that Needham Market Town councillors have behaved in their capacity as councillors but I have a great respect for their commitment to the town.

“Some councillors work endlessly for the good of the town and some just turn up at a few meetings to criticise the efforts of those putting themselves out to try and keep this town moving forward in a correct manner.

“I understand that we have to look at things differently and I would be the first to admit that I do not always agree with the methods used to get there.

“I have seen a lack of understanding by some councillors as to how a decision or an achievement has been effected but please do not lambast the councillor or clerk that has put in the effort to get the town where we are.

“If there is a lack of understanding of any particular item on an agenda or finance report then surely the clerk or responsible finance officer would be the first port of call to explain what you do not understand rather than wait until you are at a meeting where the public are present and the relevant information may not be at hand.

“Some councillors do a huge amount for this town and some do almost zero. The ones who do the least are the first to criticise the ones who do the most.

“On that note I offer my resignation with immediate effect.

“I know that all councils have disagreements but things were bordering on toxic at times with some councillors disagreeing for the sake of causing problems mainly due to lack of understanding.

“If you wish to publish this email do so by all means but I will not name the councillors who do very little for the town but they know who they are.”

Terry Lawrence, chair of Needham Market Town Council, said: “The remaining councillors are working with the Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC) to maintain the council and move forwards.

“No further statements will be issued until sensitive issues are concluded."

SALC declined to comment on the matter.