PARISH councillors in Burrator are threatening to resign en masse, following what they describe as a breakdown in relations with West Devon Borough Council.

Cllr Bill Andrew has already resigned from Burrator Parish Council and all remaining members are considering following him, after they refused to accept a hearing decision by the local authority following the way a recent public meeting in the village was conducted.

West Devon Borough Council held a standards hearing into a complaint from a member of the public that Mr Andrew, chairman of the parish council's planning committee, had allegedly breached the local authority Code of Conduct.

He was accused of showing 'a lack of respect and courtesy' towards members of the public who attended a parish council meeting to object to a planning application for a new fish pass and hydro-electric scheme at Huckworthy Mill, near Walkhampton.

The hearing panel found that Cllr Andrews from Walkhampton had applied his discretion in the rules of debate unequally against the objectors and the panel moved to apply sanctions against the councillor and the entire membership of the parish council.

But now the parish council has written to the chief executive of West Devon Richard Sheard to say it refuses to accept the decision and has accused the hearing panel of ignoring evidence in support of Cllr Andrew and treating him and the parish council unjustly.

Chairman of Burrator parish council Dr John Howells said the conclusions of the panel were unacceptable, as were the sanctions, and must be refused.

Dr Howells said: 'At the public meeting in question all those parish councillors present concluded that Cllr Andrew was faced with very hostile members of the public.

'The hearing heard from one witness who said that Cllr Andrew should in fact be congratulated for the way he handled such a difficult meeting.'

Dr Howells claimed that the panel chose to ignore all the evidence from witnesses who supported Cllr Andrew's handling of the meeting. He also argued that it was flawed and with errors and inaccurate statements.

Cllr Frank Thomas of Dousland said: 'Cllr Andrews has been treated appallingly by the standards committee of West Devon. I am utterly convinced that he did not receive a fair hearing and that the findings were unsound.'

Cllr Andrew has written to West Devon saying he does not accept the judgement against him and asked for an explanation as to its outcome.

A spokesman for West Devon borough council, said: 'We are currently investigating a formal complaint received on November 11 from Burrator Parish Council.

'The complaint concerns a West Devon Standards hearing, held on October 15, which involved a councillor from Burrator Parish Council.

'We are dealing with the complaint in line with our formal complaints procedure and we will be writing to the parish council shortly with our response.'