A YATE councillor has quit as the chair of Avon Fire Authority after a report found he breached the organisation’s code of conduct in his behaviour towards female employees.
Ben Nutland has also been suspended from the Liberal Democrat group on South Gloucestershire Council, where he represents the Yate North ward, and is currently described as ‘independent/other’ on the council’s website.
A report found he called one colleague “stunning”, followed her into a hotel room then took off his shoes and jacket before getting onto her bed, “unwanted behaviour” which made her uncomfortable.
Cllr Nutland was at a conference when he tried to get a second female member of staff to dance with him, “despite being clearly told she did not want to dance”, the report found.
Defending his behaviour, the former Yate Mayor claimed that his drink had been spiked so he was “not responsible for his actions”.
Since the night at a hotel in Bristol city centre last November, the two women filed formal complaints, prompting his resignation as chair of the Avon Fire Authority.
The complaints were investigated and a panel at the authority decided last month that he breached the code of conduct.
Details of Cllr Nutland’s behaviour – during a conference hosted by Avon Fire & Rescue Service for the Asian Fire Service Association in the DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre Hotel on Redcliffe Way – were revealed in a newly-published decision notice, which has not named either of the women.
Councillor followed woman to her hotel room and got on her bed
The notice said: “Cllr Nutland did call Employee One ‘stunning’ twice, having been asked by her to repeat what he had said out of shock, and asked her if she wanted to ‘go upstairs’ with him. Cllr Nutland followed Employee One back to her room, entered her room, took off his shoes and jacket and got onto her bed.
“The panel accepted Employee One’s account that this was unwanted behaviour and made her feel very uncomfortable.
“The panel also accepted Employee One’s account that she, probably twice, asked Cllr Nutland to leave and that he did without making any physical contact with her.
“The panel concurred with the investigator’s report that Cllr Nutland twice attempted to get Employee Two to dance with him, despite being clearly told she did not want to dance.
“Having spoken to a colleague, this led Employee Two to reconsider her initial interpretation of Cllr Nutland’s behaviour and, following brief reflection, resulted in her feeling uncomfortable.”
She felt harassed and so did not want to return to her car alone later that evening.
‘No evidence’ of drink spiking
The notice added the councillor made a “heartfelt apology” about his behaviour.
But the panel found “no factual evidence” to support his claim that his drink had been spiked.
The panel said he breached the code of conduct on grounds of respect, bullying and disrepute.
The theme of the conference was “cultivating the courage to change through a listening culture”. Cllr Nutland sat at a VIP table along with senior service officers and was staying in a hotel room paid for, or subsidised by, the service.
In a delegate guide published ahead of the conference, former chief fire officer Simon Shilton said: “If you take one thing away from this conference, it’s that one person can make a huge impact … It’s by building upon a listening culture where we can ensure our staff and communities feel safe, valued and that their positive actions can make a difference.”
Following the decision notice, new chief fire officer Matt Cook emailed members of the Avon Fire Authority about the scandal.
In the email, he said: “We are all understandably concerned by the finding of misconduct by our former Fire Authority Chair.
“The behaviours he has shown are not behaviours we expect from anyone, including members of our governing body.
“We all deserve to work in an environment where we feel safe, respected, and supported. This type of behaviour has no place in our service.
“A healthy, positive culture starts at the top, and we are committed to reinforcing that standard every day. This news is upsetting and concerning, and it is a challenging time for members of staff involved, and members of the authority.”
The Avon Fire Authority governs the Avon Fire & Rescue Service, which serves Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset. The authority is made up of councillors across the region, who oversee the work of the fire service, and is led by the chair.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service