Hadleigh councillors have agreed to suspend three committees until November and instead hold two full council meetings per month after the town clerk complained she was working too many evenings.

Wendy Brame, who took on extra responsibilities and was given a hefty pay increase, when former town manager Cheryl Tye resigned, told councillors, even though she knew what the combined roles entailed, something had to give and not much was being achieved in meetings.

Councillors disagreed about the merits of the committees and whether they should be suspended.

Mrs Bray joined in the debate and said: "People don't see all the working groups and committees I have to do.

"I have three or four evening meetings a week, which I appreciate I signed up to do, but the longer I have been here the more committee we have got.

"We are one full time member of staff short and something has to give. I can't keep giving up every single evening every single week for these committee when not much is being achieved."

Cllr Roberts ffered solutions but was rebuffed

Cllr Huw Roberts suggested getting a locum to help the workload but that was dismissed.

Cllr Angela Wiltshire asked why other officers could not cover for the clerk, who is paid a basic £42,000 salary, as part of a £50k a year package, but Mrs Brame dismissed the idea.

She said: "Although it would help if staff did cover my work load and it is in their job description, but with the current staff it is not in their job description to do that. They can be asked to cover but they are not qualified as a clerk and do not have the availability."

She added: "I can't take any annual leave, the maximum I can take is three days at time, I want you to bear that in mind."

Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed the Town Matters committee was be suspended until November.

Cllr Andrew Knock's idea of increasing the bi-monthly Council Matters committee to a monthly meeting was rejected on majority and instead the committee was also suspended until November 24.

Cllr Knock also spoke of his disappointment that the clerk had not consulted committee members before putting the item on the agenda without further explanation.

Cllr Rolf Beggerow expressed concerns that important financial issues, including setting the council tax precept, may not get enough time to be dealt with but would be happy to suspend Council matters but wanted to organise more extraordinary meetings to deal with the precept.

However, that was not seen as entirely acceptable as extraordinary meetings called at short notice were not ideal for people with other commitments and many councillors preferred meetings to be set in diary so they could make suitable arrangements to attend.

Layham Road Sports Ground sub committee suspended

Cllr Beggerow who is chairman of the Layham Sports Ground Group sub-committee and treasurer of Hadleigh United Football Club, told the council project was on hold until the Football Foundation framework was adopted.

Beggerow wants a working party or advisory group, which would mean under the new Code of Conduct rules, he would be able to stay in the room while councillors shaped policy and agreed spending, which he would not be able to do if it remained as a constituted committee due to a conflict of interest as someone with a non-pecuniary interest.

Concerns were also raised that members of the public would not be able to see, or stay updated with what was going on at Layham Road if the project just involved council staff and consultants or advisor invited by the project officer and Cllr Beggerow.

Hadleigh clerk's whopping pay rise.