A former cabinet member claims he has been forced to resign as a charity trustee over his criticism of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s response to the ecological emergency.
Former councillor Bob Goodman outside the Guildhall in Bath | Photo © Stephen Sumner
Bob Goodman said it was “wholly undemocratic” for the Liberal Democrat administration to try to silence him and wrong for it to put pressure on the Avon Wildlife Trust.
He alleged he was given two options – to “shut up or consider my future as a trustee”.
The charity has refuted his claims and said it has “never felt pressured” by the council.
Mr Goodman’s recent criticism centred on the authority’s decision to approve its own plans to build 37 homes on the “tufa field” in Englishcombe Lane in Bath.
The decision has been condemned by residents, who say the site’s delicate ecosystem is irreplaceable.
The council’s plans said the tufas, a rare geological phenomenon, could be moved to another site, although its own ecologist was not convinced.
Mr Goodman, a former Conservative councillor, insists his comments were not politically motivated and that he only wanted to highlight the “important environmental issues the council is failing on”.
He was appointed as a trustee of the Avon Wildlife Trust in 2019.
In July this year, he said chief executive Ian Barrett was contacted by the administration, “who wanted me to stop my criticism of the council”.
“I responded that I was not going to be bullied and that I would continue to support the environment – come what may,” said Mr Goodman, who was a cabinet member until the elections last May when he lost his Combe Down seat.
“A month ago I was again contacted as the trust had had a further conversation with the administration about my continual criticism of them in relation to the council’s own development at Englishcombe Lane.
“I had been approached by the residents for my support, which I gladly gave, and embarked on a campaign of explaining what a shameful decision it was to build on the field when an ecological emergency had just been declared.
“I would not be bullied in criticising the council when I felt it was appropriate and for pressure to be put on them to prevent me speaking out was clearly undemocratic.”
Mr Goodman said he was told that the charity’s interests were likely to be harmed “as a result of the reaction to the various public statements you have made in relation to B&NES Council, and some of the elected councillors”.
He said: “I will not be silenced by this council and had to make what was a heart-breaking decision to resign as a trustee. It is appalling that a council can manipulate organisations to control what they or their trustees say. I for one will not be bullied.”
In a statement, the Avon Wildlife Trust said its positive relationships with local authorities give it more impact when it does oppose strategic plans. It said it had “never felt pressured by B&NES Council in any instance”.
The statement said: “Senior representatives of any organisation, including specifically the trustees of charities, must at all times act in a way which is in the best interests of the organisation and consistently with the way in which the organisation projects itself.
“For us, this includes acting in a way likely to maintain good relationships with key partners like local authorities.
“We have discussed with Bob the style and potential impact of some of his recent public statements.
“We have no wish to restrict or restrain Bob’s freedom of expression, and Bob has made his own decision to step down as an Avon Wildlife Trust trustee.
“We thank Bob for everything he has done to stand up for nature and wildlife, and wish him well for the future. We will continue to work toward our common objective to restore nature in our region.”
The council said: “Avon Wildlife Trust is a valued partner. This is a matter for the trust and we have no further comment.”
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
