A Chard town councillor has revealed that he and his family suffered prolonged abuse during an extended dispute described as a bullying row. The controversy originated after Chard Town Council commissioned the Rolley Report in October 2022, following eight separate bullying allegations that occurred alongside a decade of high turnover among council clerks.
Presented in March 2023 and published the following month, the report characterised the town council as “dysfunctional,” sharply criticising both councillors and officers for a “total lack of strategic vision.” However, in March 2024, the report was officially rescinded after an investigation concluded it was “not totally independent or unbiased.” Subsequently, the council issued a public apology to residents for its failure to act appropriately and considerately.
More recently, councillor Jason Baker, who also represents Chard South on Somerset Council, received a fresh apology from the town council. The council recognised that its previous failings “may have had serious and lasting consequences” for Mr Baker and his family. Mr Baker lodged a formal complaint with the town council in November 2023, prompting an independent investigation.
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The investigation found that the town council had “failed to follow its own procedures” and “did not respond appropriately,” which led to “unacceptable behaviour” towards Mr Baker. This included a campaign of sustained bullying, vandalism of his home in Chard, and even death threats against him and his family.
A council spokesperson commented: “We acknowledge that our prolonged failure to act allowed an unfounded public and online campaign against Councillor Baker to continue unchecked, subjecting him to sustained bullying, abuse, and reputational damage. The impact on his mental health was significant, escalating to death threats and vandalism of his family home. We recognise the fear, distress, and disruption these events caused and affirm that Mr Baker and his family should never have faced such circumstances.”
The town council issued a “full, sincere and unreserved” apology to Mr Baker during a full council meeting at The Guildhall on 30 April - a recording of which has recently been made public. Additionally, the council confirmed that other complaints made against Mr Baker would not proceed through Somerset Council’s monitoring officer. It also acknowledged that one of Mr Baker’s complaints against a town council officer was partially upheld.
The spokesperson added: “Chard Town Council is committed to learning from these failings, improving its procedures, and ensuring complaints are dealt with fairly, promptly, and according to its responsibilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
In response, Mr Baker accepted the apology and expressed hope that it would herald meaningful, long-term cultural change within the council. He stated: “The events of recent years have profoundly affected me and my family. We endured sustained abuse, bullying, false accusations, damage to reputation, and fear for our safety, compounded by unacceptable behaviour at council meetings and the emotional toll of death threats and vandalism. While an apology cannot undo these effects, I appreciate the council’s acknowledgment of its serious and lasting impact.”
He continued: “I hope this apology signifies a genuine commitment to preventing others from experiencing what we have. I will take time to reflect on its significance.”
Mr Baker also noted that since the council’s apology, he has received further complaints regarding his conduct, involving both a fellow councillor and a staff member. He emphasised: “Despite repeated allegations, I have never been found to breach the members' code of conduct. Throughout, my focus has been to serve Chard residents with honesty, diligence, and integrity. Despite these challenges, I remain steadfast in my commitment to public service.”
He concluded: “My hope is that today’s apology marks not just an acknowledgment of past failings but the start of a culture grounded in fairness, accountability, and respect, ensuring no councillor or their family will have to endure what mine has.”