Mayor of Dartmouth Paul Allen has been found 'guilty' of flouting his council code of conduct over allegations that he wrongly manipulated his own council's grievance panel.

A South Hams Council disciplinary panel has formally censured the town councillor who is now into his second year as mayor.

The censure follows more than six months of investigations following complaints about Cllr Allen from both town clerk Chris Horan and ex-deputy mayor Dave Cawley.

The panel cleared Cllr Allen of two other complaints of bullying, bringing the town council in to disrepute and breaching the council code of conduct.

But both the investigating officer – solicitor Beryl Evans – and code of conduct sub panel chairman John Baverstock made it clear that it is vital for Dartmouth councillors and officers to start working closer together for the benefit of the town.

Cllr Baverstock said at the conclusion of a two-hour hearing at Follaton House in Totnes: 'It is very unfortunate that it does appear to this panel that officers and members of Dartmouth Town Council do not appear to always work together for the mutual aim of supporting the people of Dartmouth.'

And he suggested there should be some 'reflection' by officers and councillors 'to really act for their community and not engage in these sorts of issues'.

Meanwhile, Mrs Evans made it clear in her report to the three-strong panel that at least one of the complaints was 'indicative of dissention and lack of communication with, some at least, of Dartmouth Town Council's members and officers.

'It is an unfortunate state of affairs which will prevent the council and its officers working together to achieve optimum efficiency and effectiveness in its role within the town.'

The complaints which were thrown out involved allegations that Cllr Allen bullied the town clerk by refusing to allow him to make a financial report at a council meeting and that he rejected the clerk's advice over debating of the launch of a council electronic newsletter.

The one that was upheld declared that he failed to comply with the council code of conduct in that he: 'In an attempt to control the grievance panel used his position improperly to remove the senior councillors and replace them with other junior councillors that he had some control over thereby securing an advantage. The mayor has a grievance complaint against him and he should declare an interest in all issues relating to this.'

Cllr Baverstock said the panel had come to the conclusion that Cllr Allen should have realised the consequences of his actions and that while there were a number of penalty options open to it, the panel had decided to formally 'censure his actions'.

Cllr Allen did not attend the hearing but in one statement he was adamant he had been 'fair and robust' in dealing with the town clerk at one council meeting.

And in another statement he said: 'At no stage did the town clerk advise me of breaking any code of conduct or conflict of interest, disrespect or failure to declare any interest.

'I fail to see how this could be a breach of the code of bringing the council into disrepute or having no respect.'

The report over the three complaints ran to a monster 259 pages and contained statements from the town clerk, the deputy town clerk Tracy Rowe, the mayor, town councillors Dave Cawley, Debbie Morris and Chris Smith and former town councillor Peter Norton.

Cllr Allen said on the day of the panel meeting that he could not comment on it until he had received the conclusions in writing. from South Hams Council.