A PARISH council chairman could be voted out of his position after being accused of breaching the council’s code of conduct.

Paul Burgess is chairman of Althorne Parish Council, but complaints have been filed against him by district councillors Brian Beale MBE and Beverley Acevedo following a planning meeting.

Mr Burgess is accused of speaking on behalf of the parish council at district council meetings without permission in order to try to stop a home being built in The Endway, Althorne.

He is accused of “misuse of his office” and “crossing the line” by monitoring office Simon Quelch.

He said: “Mrs Jeffery [parish clerk] explained to him he should not represent the council without council authorisation. Councillor Burgess replied to the effect he was chairman and that authorised him to attend the committee.”

It is alleged he wanted to use his position to convince the district council not to allow the home being built and claim this was the view of the parish council as a whole.

It is claimed this was due to a personal feud with another councillor. Mr Burgess has denied any wrongdoing and has defended his actions and his integrity.

Mr Quelch’s report will go before a meeting of Maldon District Council’s joint standards committee tomorrow.

If the panel finds Mr Burgess broke the code of conduct, they could recommend he be voted out of his role as chairman of the parish council.