A FORMER Pembroke Dock town clerk, who left after complaining of bullying behaviour from members of the council, has returned to the position.

Sarah Scourfield, who was town clerk up until September 28, 2017, left the role following what she described at the time as “constant harassment and bullying.”

Pembroke Dock Mayor, Councillor Gordon Goff said that the complaints were still being investigated by the Ombudsman.

“We are very pleased to welcome Sarah Scourfield, an experienced, efficient and capable town clerk, back to the role after an open and thorough recruitment process,” he said.

“The complaint made by the clerk has been forwarded to the Ombudsman for investigation - we are still awaiting a response to that complaint.

“The council is in the process of reviewing and updating many of its policies and procedures to ensure we can provide the best working environment possible for our staff.”

Mrs Scourfield left her position despite an impassioned plea at an October 2017 meeting by Cllr Brian Hall for her to stay in her role, and a unanimous vote of confidence in her, also proposed by Cllr Hall.

That unanimous vote of confidence included the alleged bullies.

In November of the same year, the council also experienced the resignation of mayor and councillor, Jane McNaughton.

Ms McNaughton resigned on November 14, 2017, due to pressure from two opposing camps within the town council over the issue of dealing with the alleged bullying.

Mrs Scourfield is the second clerk to have resigned in recent years due to alleged bullying; former clerk Moira Saunders left in 2014.

Prior to being rehired to the town clerk role, Mrs Scourfield was employed by the council in a consultant role for three months.

In total, Mrs Scourfield was paid £285 by the council - £45 on October 8; £105 on November 8; and £135 on December 5.

Cllr Goff added: “Sarah was employed by the town council as a consultant for a short time while we were understaffed to help us progress with specific council projects - for example, an upgrade to our computers and plans for the Bertie the Seabass sculpture to be displayed in Pembroke Dock later this year.”