COUNCILLOR Esmond Jenkins was abusive and aggressive towards Cotswold District Council staff and an employee of property developer Watermark, was disrespectful and threatening to council officers, and brought his office into disrepute through unsubstantiated allegations of corruption.

These are just some of the claims made by the Standards for England report.

The 91-page report, complied by ethical standards officer Jennifer Rogers from Standards for England, outlines two complaints against Cllr Jenkins made by CDC’s head of planning Philippa Lowe and Max Thomas, chief executive of property developer Watermark, comprising ten separate allegations.

In a lengthy section, it is alleged that Cllr Jenkins was threatening and verbally abusive towards an employee of Watermark who refused to allow him access to Keynes Country Park while he was investigating the planning breach at Lake 31.

It is also claimed that he was abusive towards CDC’s head of democratic services Nigel Adams, swearing at him in front of members of the public, at the same time.

The report also outlines allegations by council officers that Cllr Jenkins was disrespectful and bullying towards them, frequently referring to them only by their surnames and being aggressive in email communication.

It is also alleged that Cllr Jenkins tried to use his position to influence planning officers with regards to a decision regarding quarry works near his home in Shorncote.

However, claims that he abused his position to advise a business which was in direct competition with Watermark, and also that he was involved in an enforcement case while also representing the people concerned in a professional capacity, are dismissed by the report.

The full report can be viewed at the link below.