Former Needham Market Town Councillor Steve Phillips addresses why he handed in his notice after 26 years

A town councillor has resigned after 26 years after feeling frustrated with his colleagues - in the same week five others also left the authority.

Needham Market Town Council saw a shock shake-up after four councillors, the town clerk and the responsible finance officer handed in their resignations or retirement notices in one week.

One of them was Steve Phillips, 68, who had been a councillor since 1998 and was elected as Town Mayor four times.

He said: “For me, I just think some of the councillors don’t do anything except for turn up at meetings and start pulling apart what other people have done.

“They’re quite happy to come along and block something at the meetings – which is so frustrating for some people who are working quite hard to get things done.

“Enough is enough, it’s just not enjoyable anymore.

“I feel like I’ve done my bit for the council now – it’s just getting to the point where I’m beating my head against a brick wall.”

The others who resigned in the same week include Brian Annis, Josephine Lea, Xy Stansfield, town clerk Kevin Hunter and Louise Mills, responsible finance officer. However, the reasons behind their departures remain unclear.

Cllr Terry Lawrence, town mayor, said: “The council has faced increasing internal and external challenges over the last couple of years.

“With that challenge comes change, and different people react to change differently.

“Some grab it and endorse it, while some don’t.”

Brian Annis and Josephine Lea were approached for comment.

Xy Stansfield declined to comment in this article.