Hadleigh town clerk Wendy Brame has been accused of being rude and unhelpful to a resident in council car parking row.

The allegation came from a member of the public who became upset after approaching Mrs Brame about car parking issues and claims she was so badly treated mayor Gordon McLeod went round to her house to apologise for Mrs Brame's behaviour.

Mrs Brame also refused to give her name when asked by the resident at a public meeting on 7 February.

Wendy Brame at meeting where she was labelled rude

Cllr Rickaby Shearly-Sanders chairman of the Hadleigh Market Feoffment Charity Committee, which is run by Hadleigh council, introduced Mrs Saunders by name and invited her to speak in the public forum during the meeting.

Mrs Saunders told councillors about the long running saga where, as a near neighbour whose driveway opens up to the cobbled road area of Guildhall building, she is constantly being blocked in, or out, of her home by cars obstructing the driveway where she has a right of access and room to manoeuvre.

She also aired concerns about her partner, an on call Hadleigh fire-fighter, being trapped in their drive meaning he would not be able to respond to an emergency call and drive a Hadleigh fire truck.

Mrs Saunders told councillors: "We are repeatedly locked in, or locked out. If I'm locked out it is irritating but no one is going to die. If I am locked in then that is really problematic."

Mrs Saunders said at the meeting how the caretaker had been really helpful over the long standing problem but issues arose the he could not assist with.

She outlined examples, including how her mum had been forced to miss her train and had to buy a new ticket costing more than £50 as the wedding registrar was blocking her and in she was 'not going to storm in and interrupt a wedding'.

Partner is on call Hadleigh firefighter

She explained how her partner is a London fire officer, but when he is in Hadleigh is an on call fire-fighter, usually tasked with driving the fire appliance.

She added: "My partner can never park there (in their drive) because you just don't know if you are going to be able to get out. Quite often there are only two drivers on call for the Hadleigh fire trucks and if he can't get out then that means the truck is off, and that is just completely unfair.

"I have tried talking to Hadleigh council staff and sometimes that is fine, as I say Paul (the caretaker) is amazing, but I have literally been in a situation at eight at night and there have been two cars parked and I came in to say 'hey. I'm blocked in could you ask them to move' and this lady here, (pointing at the clerk) I'm sorry I don't know if you are Wendy…are you Wendy'.

The clerk replied: "I don't have to answer that," to which Mrs Saunders said: "This lady who won't tell me her name, a democratic representative…said 'do you need to get out?'

"She (Wendy Brame) was so rude that Gordon (McLeod), because it was during the mayor's quiz night, came to the house afterwards and apologised for the way I had been spoken too."

Although Cllr McLeod went back to the quiz and asked if the cars causing the obstruction belonged to anyone at the event, no-one came forward and it was suggested the owners were at an event at the church. However, Mrs Saunders later saw the owner go to the car from the Guildhall and drive off.

On another occasion Mrs Saunders was blocked out on a Friday night, then the next day saw her car had been severely scratched down the side and suspected the car owner had damaged her car.

Problem area (Picture: Google Maps)

Police were called and criminal damage reported. It was alleged the car involved belonged to a council staff member who was annoyed at being inconvenienced, however Cllr Shearly-Sanders denied that.

Mrs Saunders also claimed that PC Katie Jarrett had become involved over concerns it could become an anti-social behaviour problem and she would be keeping a look out for further incidents.

She added: "It just seems a horrible combination of not solving a problem that has been going on for ages in a systemic way, not dealing with the consequences, and when people ask for help treating them really rudely.

"I don't have to justify why I want to get out of my driveway.

"What is the wait time for an ambulance -four hours? What happens if someone falls down the stairs or has heart attack andI can't get out? And my partner - what if he gets a call and can't get out of the driveway and drive the Hadleigh fire truck?

"I should not be treated like I'm a pain in the butt, it is not fair."

Mrs Saunders also told councillors how Mrs Brame had removed a sticker sign asking people not to park saying she did not have permission to put it on the council building and said she felt that the way Mrs Brame had handled the situation was: 'Really quite sad.'

Cllr McLeod and Mrs Brame were approached for comment but failed to respond.