The former leaders of Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council have expressed frustration over the way the council operates.

The chairman and vice-chair of Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council have resigned from their positions and as councillors with immediate effect.

Matt Beresford, who was elected chair in May this year, says his working relationship with Sarah Hart, the council clerk, is 'irreparable'.

Both Mr Beresford and his deputy Darren Curry, who resigned late last night, said that in recent months, the relationship between some councillors and staff 'has all but broken down'.

Mr Beresford told Punchline this morning: "I wouldn't be surprised if some other councillors go too in the next few days. In a voluntary role, to have a lot of stress whilst feeling constantly obstructed and achieving little is very disheartening!"

In his resignation letter, Mr Beresford said: "It has been an honour to serve our community over the last 18 months, alongside dedicated councillors and staff who genuinely care about Moreton-in-Marsh.

"Particular satisfaction has come from contributing to reinvigorating the council's communications and supporting the amazing work of the many volunteers who do so much for our town.

"Recent changes to the way that councillors bring motions to council meetings have led to frustration on the part of many councillors who feel that their desire to discuss important issues with their colleagues is being obstructed by a process that is at odds with the council's own rules. Despite many attempts to resolve this issue, backed by clear professional guidance, the impasse remains.

"It has become clear that working relationships have broken down between several councillors and the clerk and that expectations around communication responsiveness and the pace of implementing council decisions are not aligned."

Mr Beresford added: "The council faces important challenges, particularly the 'Transport Hub', which legal advice confirms we are obligated to complete due to the agreement signed by GWR and the town council in 2021. This requires stable administrative leadership. Given the clerk's experience with this project and its substantial financial implications, it is important that she remains able to support the council.

"It is my view that when the council chose to buy the RBL land with GWR and began this project, it failed to recognise the level of resourcing that would be necessary to fulfil its obligations. This has put too much pressure on staff, and this will need to be addressed to enable the council to deliver this project whilst also providing the basic service levels that Moreton's residents should expect, but which have deteriorated as the council's capacity has been consumed by this project.

"Whilst I have come to the conclusion that my working relationship with the clerk is irreparable, I believe she has been placed in an almost impossible position."

Mr Beresford said that whilst the Transport Hub would improve the station entrance, its reliance on CIL funding effectively committed the council to supporting further development, and its 44 additional parking spaces would not address residents' fundamental parking concerns.

He added: "I love Moreton-in-Marsh and remain committed to contributing to make it an even more wonderful place to live, work and visit. However, the role of councillor, let alone Chair, has become deeply frustrating in an environment that stifles rather than enables innovation, progress and effective communication.

"It makes sense for me to direct my energy and enthusiasm towards community projects that can deliver more immediate impact (and with significantly less stress!)

"I hope to rejoin the Council at some point in the future when circumstances allow for more productive collaboration and progress on the things that matter to the people of Moreton."

In his resignation letter, Darren Curry, the council's former vice chair, said: "My aim has always been to ensure that the Town Council focuses on the basics and serves the community effectively and transparently. Sadly, my approach — which strives for delivery and working at pace — has not proved compatible with the way the council currently operates.

"In recent months, the relationship between some councillors and staff has all but broken down, with too much time consumed by disputes rather than progress and delivery. Despite attempts, I see no viable way to resolve these differences.

"Meanwhile, the council is pouring huge amounts of time, energy and money into a so-called 'transport hub' that very few residents appear to want — and which will do nothing to fix the parking and transport problems in the town. The council has not articulated any clear benefits for the people of Moreton.

"Of greater concern is that, some years ago, it signed a contract obliging it to deliver the hub without securing the necessary funding. This leaves it in a precarious financial position, and once again the people of Moreton will pay the price. I had warned councillors that the 'transport hub' would be used by developers to justify more housing in Moreton, which came true when it appeared in the glossy adverts for a recent development proposal - and this will only continue.

"The council has boxed itself into a corner and will be reliant on developer money to pay for its hub — which in effect means Moreton in Marsh Town Council backing the mass building of thousands of new homes in the town. This puts the council on a direct collision course with many of the very people it is supposed to serve. It should instead be seeking ways to withdraw from the project entirely."

He added: "I love living in Moreton and have only ever wanted to spend my time on the council to do what I believe is right for the town and make things better. Councillors have a duty to challenge slow delivery and to cut through unnecessary red tape to get things done. Sadly, it has proved all but impossible to achieve any meaningful progress on the simplest of matters, and the toll it takes to carry out this voluntary role is simply not worth the limited output."

Punchline approached Moreton Town Council clerk Sarah Hart for a comment.