Barnoldswick Town Council's clerk has dramatically quit during this month's meeting, blaming the Council leader, David Whipp, while other councillors raised conflict of interest concerns.
Jo Geldard sat as the Town Council's clerk for 14 years until the high drama exit earlier this month, which was caught on camera as the meeting was filmed.
The issue seems to have come about regarding safety and risk assessments, or lack of, at Barnoldswick Town Council events, particularly Bands on the Square (BOTS).
Councillor Jodie Greaves initially raised concerns that Cllr David Whipp had not declared a pecuniary interest on the agenda item, raising concerns of a conflict of interest. Cllr D. Whipp contested there was a conflict and continued without declaring an interest.
When it came to the agenda item 6 (b) regarding BOTS and 'Relevant event risk assessments (including crowd, vehicle and emergency risks)', Cllr Lola Whipp made a proposal for forthcoming events which was objected to by Cllr Greaves.
Cllr Greaves said:
"Due to the fact the risk assessments weren't given to the official officer before the decision was made, really you shouldn't have made the decision. Because we haven't been able to make an educated decision.
So in the light of no risk assessments as things stand at this moment, we can't possibly carry on with the event."
A heated debate then took place over who was responsible for producing the risk assessments with Cllr Greaves claiming it should be the Safety Officer, and it should be handed to the Responsible Officer, while Cllr D. Whipp claims the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) is the person who should produce the risk assessments. At the same time, Cllr D. Whipp says he is aware risk assessments have been produced, but not if they are in place.
Cllr Greaves again repeats her concern that Cllr D. Whipp has not made a Declaration of Interest and that he should not be involved in the decision-making because of what she sees as a conflict of interest.
Cllr D. Whipp says Cllr Greaves can have her opinion on whether it is a conflict and tries to move the meeting on.
On the next point, Cllr D. Whipp starts talking about bringing in third-party expertise to the event and this is when Clerk, Jo Geldard, makes her stand:
"Can I ask a question? Why you never thought this was important before? Because you are the Safety Officer. You are the reason I'm resigning. You, no one else.
We were left completely exposed, we were at risk. I was spat at. There were people climbing fences, and you were there. You made a citizen's arrest.
At that point, you should have done something to protect your staff, and you didn't.
There was no extra security brought in. I asked multiple times to bring this up in Council meetings and you've blocked every single time I've asked. You rode roughshod over every person in that meeting in September, October, November - whenever it was - when people asked for that event to be cancelled because they had genuine safety concerns.
How is it now important to do this, when it wasn't important last year?"
In response Cllr D. Whipp says he is aware a number of Code of Conduct complaints have been made and it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the issues while they are taking place.
This didn't go down to well and looked like more avoidance from Cllr D. Whipp. That was the final straw for the clerk saying:
"How convenient. I'm sorry I can't work for this Council anymore," before packing up her stuff and leaving telling Cllr D. Whipp; "You do not give a shit about anyone, it's all about you."
Pendle Insider has contacted all the Councillors and the clerk for comment.
LINKS:
Barnoldswick Town Council
https://www.barnoldswicktowncouncil.gov.uk/event/general-purposes-meeting-11th-february-2026-7pm
Watch the video