A RESIDENT who took his local council to task over health and safety has himself been accused of trespass and harassment.

John Follant, of Skewen, sent several emails to Coedffranc Community Council over what he regarded as safety failings — including a bald tyre on the council's tractor, which is driven on public roads to get from place to place.

However, the council took exception over the way Mr Follant spoke to staff members, and said he trespassed by talking to them in part of the authority's Skewen Park base that was off limits to the public.

Coedffranc has admitted there was an issue with the tractor tyre, which was replaced.

But it denies Mr Follant's other assertions, relating to staff using strimmers without the necessary safety equipment.

Councillor Arthur Davies said Coedffranc gave all its staff safety and technical training.

"We have spent considerable sums of money and that has been money well spent," he added.

Vice-chairman Bob Richards said the council welcomed comments from the public if they thought it was doing something wrong.

"But what concerns me is that he has taken it upon himself to enter premises that the council owns and which are not open to members of the public," said Mr Richards.

"He should be advised that if there's any further incident the council will be asked if it wishes to inform the police and prosecute."

Clerk Wendy Thomas said there had not been a sign to advise the area was off limits, but one had since been put up.

She told councillors she had received a complaint from the union about the way Mr Follant spoke to staff.

"It wasn't what he said but the manner in which it was said," Mrs Thomas added.

Councillor Annette Wingrave said anyone with a complaint or concern should raise them with the clerk.

"We should put protection in place for our workers," she said.

"They should not have to take any harassment or have to stand and answer questions from members of the public.

"We are not allowed to approach them as councillors so I don't think we should take it off members of the public."

After the meeting, Mr Follant said he was disappointed he had not been allowed to speak to give his side of the story.

He said he had spoken to staff over what he considered to be genuine health and safety concerns, but insisted he had done so in a respectful rather than derogatory manner.

Mr Follant said the tractor was being driven with a bald tyre on a public highway in extreme weather conditions when there would have been mums and children going to and from school.

As for the unauthorised entry complaint, he said: "I did go just inside the gates but there was no sign there to say I couldn't."

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk