THE former clerk of Backwell Parish Council is to appeal against a decision by councillors to terminate her contract of employment. Maureen Sage, who has worked as clerk for the village for nearly 13 years, was told her contract of employment had been ter

THE former clerk of Backwell Parish Council is to appeal against a decision by councillors to terminate her contract of employment.Maureen Sage, who has worked as clerk for the village for nearly 13 years, was told her contract of employment had been terminated in a letter from the parish council on Friday, January 12.The parish council organised for the letter to be hand delivered to Mrs Sage's door by taxi.The decision to terminate her contract of employment was taken by councillors at a meeting on January 11.In a resolution by the council it said: "That this council regretfully has to terminate the contract of Mrs Sage, clerk to this council as from Monday January 15, 2007. It has no definite date of her return to work in the near future. "The reason for termination of her contract is that ill health capability to carry out the functions of the parish clerk as evidenced by the medical profession. "Backwell Parish Council wish Maureen well in the future and hope that she will find herself on the road to recovery and regain full health. "In conclusion this council would like to thank Maureen for all her work and efforts over the years in the employ of Backwell Parish Council."Mrs Sage, who has been off sick from work due to stress since the end of August 2006, said: "I am gobsmacked."The first I knew was when a taxi driver turned up at my door with a letter from the council saying I had been sacked."I was hoping to go back to work in the near future and had been to see occupational health and discussed a plan of action to get me back to work."I am devastated this has happened and don't think the council has handled the issue in the right way and I intend to seek legal advice."A date for an appeal has now been set and the council is due to meet tomorrow (Thurs) for a special hearing. Ken Richardson, who used to work as the clerk for Congresbury Parish Council, has been working as acting clerk for Backwell during Mrs Sage's absence.