Residents in Chelmondiston have expressed concerns about a parish councillor seeking re-election even though he no longer actually lives in the village.

Rob Bareham, who has put 'an address in Babergh' on the public part of nomination form but is understood to actually be using parish chairman David Cordle's home at Trelowena Hill Farm in Chelmondiston as his address, even though he doesn't live there..

Mr Cordle and his wife proposed and seconded Mr Bareham, whose partner Jill is the parish clerk and also uses Trelowena as an address for correspondence.

The couple used to live in the village but moved out more than two years ago, to an address off the Shotley peninsula and not within legitimate distance of being a Chelmondiston parish councillor.

Rob Bareham

Mr Cordle, who has been respected member of Chelmondiston's parish council for more than 40 years, admitted he was surprised Bareham was standing again but insisted he had been assured by Mr Bareham, and clerk Jill Davis, he was permitted to stand as his involvement with the council was his sole occupation.

"Apparently he is eligible because that is his main occupation," said Mr Cordle. "I could not understand why he was standing but I spoke to Jill and she assured me they spoke to SALC and the advice they were given is he was eligible.

"That is all I know, and I have accepted their advice.

""Whether he is elected or not is another thing, it all depends on what the village think."

Mr Cordle is standing once more but revealed does not plan to stay on as chairman.

However, Morley Stevens, who is also a well-respected former councillor and active member of the community disagrees.

Mr Steven said: "He should not be standing at all. As far as I'm aware he has never worked for anyone in the village. This is a claim and a loophole that needs to be looked at.

"Hopefully, there are enough genuine candidates for villagers to vote for, and they will not vote for the person who is named first on the ballot paper."

Cllr Bareham's abrasive attitude has upset many people in the village and more than one resident has contacted Nub News expressing concerns.

"It is wrong that this person is trying to stay on the council even though he no longer lives anywhere near Chelmondiston," said another. "In my opinion he has had a negative effect on our community, upsetting various groups, hopefully people in Chelmondiston will not vote for him so that will no longer be a problem."

An election was called after 12 people put their names forward for only 11 seats.

Other candidates standing in the Chelmondiston parish council election tomorrow are (in alphabetical order):

Barwick Douglas Charles George

Beacon Andrew John

Cordle Dot

Cordle David Russell

Keeble Colin

Kirkup Rosie

Lyrick Scott Peter

Melville Ian Leslie

Price Chris

Stevens Morley

Ward Peter Every

The polling station at the village hall is open between 7am-10pm. Photo ID is required to vote.

Mr Bareham was contacted via the parish clerk but failed to respond to a request for comment.