Watton Council to take legal action over missing paperwork

A TOWN council could take legal action against some of its own past and present members in a bid to retrieve deeds and other legal paperwork which has gone missing.

A TOWN council could take legal action against some of its own past and present members in a bid to retrieve deeds and other legal paperwork which has gone missing.

At a recent meeting of Watton Town Council's policy committee councillors said they were concerned that the whereabouts of some documents relating to the council and property it owns is currently unknown.

It is believed that some of the documents may be in the possession of current or former councillors who have taken them at various times.

At Watton councillors are only entitled to information which they need to do their duties and documents which are not required should be left under the control on the town clerk, the proper officer of the council.

Minutes from the committee meeting say: 'Serious concerns were expressed that deeds and legal paperwork were not accounted for in the council offices and it was agreed that past and present councillors should be contacted to ascertain whether they had in their possession any deeds or legal documents relating to the council or staff and ask that the items be returned.'

They show that councillors also resolved: 'That the town clerk contact the council's solicitors to seek advice on the legal procedure of how to proceed.'

The issue is expected to be brought up again at the council's meeting this evening.