AN emergency meeting has been called following the sudden resignation of seven town councillors in Burnham.

The resignations from Burnham Town Council, which only had ten members, happened earlier this month.

An extraordinary meeting is now set to take place on Monday, November 25 at 7.30pm.

Nick Skeens, one of the seven, cited the "severe abuse" faced by the departing members as the reason for the move.

He said: “We’re unpaid volunteers, and last May we were all elected. And now we have all stood down because there is no job in England where you sustain that level of abuse without the possibility of recourse or defence.

"We are here to serve the town. It just isn't fair.

"Seven councillors had to resign. It should not have happened. This is a complete threat to democracy."

The agenda for the meeting includes the appointment of a new town mayor, discussions on disbanding council committees in favour of a coordinator-led structure, and practical matters such as banking authorisations and adjustments to the town's Christmas lights. 

Talking about the future of the council ahead of the meeting, Mr Skeens said: "The remaining councillors will be temporarily pulled onto the council until another election.

"But my question is who will stand knowing they will be continually abused. That is my concern."

Another ex-councillor, who chose to remain anonymous, said: "We voluntarily stepped down, not because we did something un-toward but for our own safety."

The councillor, however, reassured residents, saying:  "The people who resigned have done a very careful handover. We made sure that all the things that needed to be done were done.

"We have already made sure that the Christmas celebrations can go on smoothly."