Gerard and Beverley Oxford speak out after resignation

Gerard Oxford, who uses a wheelchair, alleged Colchester Council has “failed” to move meetings to accommodate his disability.

Mr Oxford, who represented the Highwoods ward, resigned with immediate effect on Thursday after a full council meeting on Wednesday proved to be “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Beverley Oxford has also announced she will be leaving her role in Highwoods after almost 22 years of service in a show of support to her husband.

The pair have a combined 43 years of service as Colchester councillors between them.

Dispute - Gerard and Beverley Oxford (Image: Newsquest)

A Colchester Council spokesman said a lift in the Town Hall had been certified as safe and the authority was “disappointed” to hear its efforts were felt to not be enough.

Mr Oxford, a former mayor of Colchester, thanked residents for their support during his 22 years of representing them.

“I haven’t been able to attend in person to ask questions of the administration and hold them to account because of failures,” said Mr Oxford.

The councillor, who is claustrophobic, said he has been told the lift is missing “critical components” which will not be put in place until January next year.

“My GP has given me medical advice to not use that lift until all the components are changed,” he explained.

Saddened - Gerard Oxford

“Beverley and I are both very sad, we’re disgusted and feel totally let down.

“It’s just so very upsetting but if we can’t do the job as we’re supposed to do it then why should we be there?”

The husband and wife duo formed the Highwoods Independents in 2002 after two years as Liberal Democrat councillors.

They raised eyebrows in 2019 when they announced they would be stepping away from the so-called rainbow coalition running the council to prop up the local Conservatives.

“We are dismayed and very upset,” added Mrs Oxford.

“We have always been proud to be members of Colchester Council and no longer are we so. I am really sad to say this.”

Colchester Council's response in full:

A spokesman said: “The main Town Hall lift continues to provide access to all floors, including those hosting events and meetings. 

“Whilst the Town Hall is fully accessible, a residual fault is affecting one part of the building, which may delay the lift once called.

"Once inside the lift, however, all floors are accessible, and it is being used by people every day without issue. 

“Despite our assurances that the lift is working and has been certified as safe, Gerard Oxford remained anxious that it might break down with him inside. 

"So, out of respect for how he felt, and to demonstrably meet our equality obligations, we moved all official meetings of which he was a member to the Old Library on the ground floor.

"Mr Oxford was also able to attend all other meetings virtually.

"We are disappointed that these efforts were felt not to be enough, despite discussion in Full Council with Cllr Oxford present. 

"We can confirm that we had already commissioned an independent assessment of the Town Hall, and its compliance with the Equalities Act has also been commissioned. 

"We will take any learning we can from that review but know we have worked hard to meet our equalities commitments and reduce any inconvenience for members, visitors and staff.

“We hope to fully repair the lift soon.

“Following the resignations of Gerard Oxford and Beverley Oxford, which Chief Executive Pam Donnelly has formally accepted, there will be a by-election held in Highwoods in due course.”