A FORMER Bembridge Parish Council member has been ordered to pay £7,155 costs after bringing a case against the council to the Isle of Wight County Court — which was struck off in its entirety.

Claimant Madeleine Reeder brought the case against co-defendants Cllr Grant Stillman, council vice chairman, and Bembridge Parish Council.

The matter centred on a disputed notice of resignation apparently given to the parish council by Cllr Stillman in 2017, which Mrs Reeder believed should have been binding.

Cllr Stillman remained as a serving councillor.

The matter was pursued by Mrs Reeder and was heard in court yesterday (Wednesday, October 16).

Deputy district Judge Clive Wiggins said: "After considering evidence filed with the court and written and oral submissions by counsel it is ordered that the claimant's particulars of claim dated July 16, 2019, are an abuse of due process and disclose no reasonable grounds for the bringing of the claim, which is struck off in its entirety.

"Costs of this application are summarily assessed in the sum of £7,155, to be paid by the claimant to the defendant by 4pm on October 30, 2019."

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Reeder said: "This is a disappointing outcome, and we await the written judgement from the court.

"The case was struck out on technicalities and the substance of the case still remains.

"Further legal advice on how to proceed is being taken."

The County Press has contacted Bembridge Parish Council for a comment.

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