Claims North Petherton councillor and hall chairman uses community centre site to sell his own cars

CONCERNS have been raised by residents who claim the chairman of a community centre committee is using the venue’s car park as a base for a sales business.

John Hesketh, a North Petherton Town Councillor, is allegedly selling cars from his company, Ideal Cars of North Petherton, from the community centre car park, in Fore Street.

There is a sign at the car park entrance stating no overnight parking and parking up to two hours only, but residents say the cars are parked permanently.

Mr Hesketh refused to comment on the matter when approached by the Mercury as he did not "want to get involved", but hall committee secretary Louise Dennis said she would be “very shocked” if the claims were true.

When the Mercury visited the car park, a number of vehicles sporting Ideal Cars stickers were in situ, and had also been listed for sale on the firm’s website - complete with photographs taken at the site.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said Mr Hesketh was “abusing his position” on the committee.

“He is abusing his position as chairman – its authority and trust and - and he’s depriving others of using those spaces,” the resident said.

“Even when there’s no event, it’s still full.

“He’s taking advantage of his position and nobody’s going to tell him to move the cars because he’s the person that would do the telling in the first place.”

Another resident said: “The chairman should resign – it shouldn’t be one rule for him and one for us."

The car park is owned by Sedgemoor District Council, but is leased to the hall committee.

A spokesperson for SDC said: “Sedgemoor District Council does own the car park, but it is on a long 99-year lease. 

“We have nothing to do with the day to day management; this is the remit of the hall committee. It was their decision to limit the time/no overnight parking and the putting up of the sign.

“However, we are aware of the situation and have been assured that is it short-term only. Ultimately, it is up to the hall committee to enforce the conditions.”

Rod Latham, town clerk, said: “The community centre car park is nothing to do with the town council – it’s owned by Sedgemoor and run by the hall committee."

Email rebecca.heyes@nqsw.co.uk or comment at www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk.