NORTHWICH’S town mayor has resigned after he was openly criticised at Monday night’s town council meeting.

Clr Steve Gough handed in his letter of resignation after the meeting amid rumours that a vote of no confidence in him as mayor could be imminent.

During the meeting he was questioned by Clr John Turnbull about his conduct towards the council’s chief executive Will Gibson.

Mr Gibson is currently on sick leave because he suffered chest pains following the September town council meeting.

Clr Turnbull asked Clr Gough about a letter he sent to the chief executive Will Gibson telling him that his probationary period would be extended – this letter had not been authorised by the town council.

Clr Turnbull also asked him about an email allegedly sent by Clr Arthur Neil and mistakently received by Mr Gibson which read: “Well Goughy and I had a good go last night and he had a heart attack this morning.”

During the meeting Clr Turnbull said: “Can you confirm that Will Gibson received from you a letter on council headed notepaper on September 19 clearly stating that you were extending his probationary period?”

Clr Gough replied: “It was not on council headed paper, it had my home address on it, and yes I did.

“I’m not going to get into the details of the letter but it was not on council headed paper.”

He admitted that this letter was not sent as the result of a resolution passed by the council or the policy and operations committee.

Clr Gough said he was not aware of the email allegedly sent by Clr Neil, who was not present at Monday night’s meeting.

A statement from Northwich Town Council issued yesterday, Tuesday, said: “Northwich Town Council can confirm that a letter of resignation was received from the town mayor last night.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his many years of service to the people of Northwich and all the local charities.”

The controversial town council meeting comes just a month after Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Clr Mike Jones told the town council that political fighting is putting off investors to the town.