The leader of Wiltshire Council, Ian Thorn, has revealed he has been threatened and rubbish dumped outside his home following growing controversy over the closure of two household recycling centres.
Police have intervened after tensions escalated over the council’s decision to shut the Lower Compton site near Calne and a second facility at Purton, near Swindon. Wiltshire Police confirmed that a man in his 60s from Calne was interviewed under caution in connection with threats made towards a councillor.
Cllr Ian Thorn, who is recovering at home after hospital surgery earlier this year, confirmed that he had reported threatening correspondence to police after opponents of the recycling centre closures targeted him personally.
He said the matter had been escalated because of concerns for the impact such actions could have beyond himself.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: “We can confirm that we received a report regarding concerning comments being made towards a councillor from Calne earlier this month.
“Enquiries have been carried out and a man in his 60's from Calne was interviewed under caution in relation to the threats.
“He has since been dealt with by way of a community resolution and the victim has been updated.”
Alongside his role as leader of Wiltshire Council, Cllr Thorn is also the mayor of Calne. Political opponents on Calne Town Council have now tabled a motion of no confidence in his mayoralty.
The motion, brought forward by town councillor Tara Fisher (Labour, Calne South), centres on two issues: the mayor’s involvement in the decision to close the Lower Compton Household Recycling Centre while acting in his role as leader of Wiltshire Council, and his attendance record at town council committees and working groups.
Cllr Fisher said: “The mayor’s job is to stand up for the residents of Calne and represent the Town Council in its opposition to the closure of Lower Compton Household Recycling Centre.
“This role is clearly in direct conflict with Cllr Thorn’s other role as leader of Wiltshire Council.
“The decision to close Lower Compton was taken by Cllr Thorn and cabinet colleagues with no consultation with the public or with Calne Town Council. Cllr Thorn clearly cannot continue in these dual roles.”
On attendance, Cllr Fisher said Cllr Thorn had attended seven of 61 committee and working group meetings – around 11 per cent – since becoming mayor. Over the same period, his predecessor Jon Fisher attended 49 of 66 meetings, equivalent to 74 per cent.
Conservative councillor Bobby Seymour said he was sorry to hear about the threats made towards Cllr Thorn, but stressed that public anger over the recycling centre closures remained justified.
He said: “I am very sorry to hear that Cllr Thorn has had this experience and I am sure Wiltshire Police will handle it professionally.
“Notwithstanding, residents are rightly angry and I will continue to speak up for them. This was not in the manifesto on which the Liberal Democrats sought election only a few months ago.
“I am sure that no democratically elected councillor would want to shut down peaceful and legitimate debate.”
Cllr Seymour also confirmed that he is supporting Cllr Fisher’s motion of no confidence in the mayor.
Councillors have called for an extraordinary meeting of Calne Town Council to debate the motion as soon as possible.
Responding to the attempt to remove him as mayor, Cllr Thorn said he was disappointed by the motion but intended to take part fully in the debate and seek the support of a majority of councillors.
RELATED READING:
Motion Of No Confidence Submitted Against Calne Town Mayor
Calne Town Council Unanimously Opposes Lower Compton Recycling Centre Closure
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