THE FORMER leader of Wokingham Borough Council misused council notepaper during an election campaign.
Cllr John Halsall has been found guilty of breaching the code of conduct and ordered to make a written apology. He must also undergo training on aspects of the code.
He was investigated after residents in Norreys ward received a letter from him in March last year.
Although it was on council headed notepaper, the contact details were for his mobile phone and his personal email address.
In it, he talked about speeding on Warren House Road, an issue raised by the then-Conservative candidate for Norreys, Daniel Hinton, in his election campaign. However, it has also been an issue on which Wokingham Labour has been campaigning for, and Wokingham Today has featured this in previous issues.
In the letter, Cllr Halsall, who represents Remenham and Ruscombe ward, told residents “I can understand why you are rightly concerned (about road safety). I have spoken to the relevant borough council officers and the chief executive. I have instructed my highways team to act on the installation of a pedestrian crossing near to the junction with Ashridge Road and painting 30mph signs on to the road surface.”
He also said he would contact the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner to enforce the speed limit on Warren House Road, and conduct a speed review.
It was delivered to homes with a letter on Conservative Party headed notepaper from Mr Hinton, who said the crossing was the number one concern raised by residents and Cllr Halsall’s letter showed them “we do get things done for residents”.
Wokingham Borough Council’s monitoring officer found Cllr Halsall guilty of three breaches of the code of conduct, and a report will be made to the council meeting held on Thursday, July 20.
It is the second breach he was found guilty of during his time as council leader.
In March 2020, he was ordered to apologise for failing to update his register of interests to declare his involvement in a campaign group working against housing development in the borough.
Cllr Rachel Burgess, Wokingham Labour leader and Norreys ward councillor, was pleased the complaint had been upheld.
“I wish that getting a crossing installed were as simple as the Leader of the Council having a look at the site and then telling Council officers to install a crossing,” she said.
“Unfortunately, a system where one person could do this would also be open to the abuse of public funds and poor decision-making. For this reason, Councillors are expressly prohibited from making such instructions and officers must comply with due process when deciding when and how funds are spent.
“That Cllr Halsall did this makes it even worse – making unfounded promises to my residents implying that a crossing would be installed, using Council resources to do so, and in a most blatant attempt to influence the outcome of the election in May 2022.”
She continued: “Many will consider he has got off lightly. There should be no room in public life for those who abuse their position or public resources.
“I am delighted to report that my residents saw through this desperate exercise for exactly what it was. I remain grateful to my residents for alerting to me to this letter and to whomever made the complaint against Councillor Halsall.”
Cllr Burgess also pointed out the crossing remained unbuilt, and she will continue to campaign for one.
“My focus remains where it has always been – ensuring a safe pedestrian crossing is installed on Warren House Road – and in the meantime making the road as safe as possible for pedestrians who are trying to cross this fast and busy road,” she said.
“I have been working with local residents on this matter for a couple of years, including submitting a resident petition for a crossing last year.
“The Council acts far more slowly than it should which is frustrating and potentially dangerous for residents.
Part of the Council’s delay is that there is a process which must be followed and limited resources that must be prioritised.”
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “The councillor concerned has apologised to the complainant and will undertake appropriate training.”
Cllr Halsall was contacted for a comment.
