After being criticized for moving 600 miles to France to renovate a chateau from the 18th century, a councillor representing one of the most deserving areas in the UK has resigned.
Ashley Waters, 37, ran as an independent candidate for election and won his seat from Labour. He spent most of the last year in Normandy, rather than his hometown of Middlesbrough.
After he claimed he was subject to a series of ‘horrific abuses’, Mr Waters has decided to resign as North Ormesby, Middlesbrough representative.
The former councillor justified his continued representation of those who voted in him in the impoverished north east city. He attended most council meetings online and commuted back to Teesside occasionally.
Terry Briggs and Terry Waters are renovating Chateau de Lalacelle near Le Mans. They plan to make it a luxury bed and breakfast for paying customers.
Ashley Waters, 37, ran for election as an Independent and won his seat from Labour. He spent most of the last year in Normandy, rather than his more gritty hometown of Middlesbrough. Pictured: Waters (left) and Terry Short
Waters made the following statement via his Facebook page: “I’m sorry, but I have decided that I will resign my position as North Ormesby councillor.”
“The support I received from my family, friends, and residents of the actual Ward has been amazing, but the constant harassment and abuse I have suffered from other councillors is horrific.
“The posts about me and the time I spent in France are complete fabrications. Anyone who has met me, seen me, or interacted with me over the past eight months knows that this is nonsense. For most of our videos, filming was done in advance so that we could return to the UK.
“The councillors who wanted to cause trouble, and will continue to cause it, will make Middlesbrough worse. This is not fair for the amazing residents of the town.
“Now that my resignation is over, I feel sorry for anyone who is next to suffer the abuse of these councillors, as it seems with one in particular, this has been going for a long, long time.”
Terry Briggs’ parents Tony and Tracy Briggs are working together to renovate Chateau De Lalacelle in Le Mans. They plan on turning it into a luxurious bed and breakfast that will be available to paying guests.
Last week, Mayor Andy Preston demanded that the councillor clarify how much time he spent outside Middlesbrough during the past six months.
Mr Waters and his partner Mr Short have been documenting their renovation’s progress with a series of self-made videos posted on YouTube with their style and content based on the long running Channel 4 series ‘Escape to the Chateau.’
Their channel, Escape to the Dream, Restoring the Chateau, currently hosts 22 videos.
Waters stated that he planned to stay in the UK to work for the next few year until my term was over, and then move to France. I will be moving to France now that I have resigned.
After he stated that he was confronted with a string of ‘horrific abusive’, Mr Waters decided to step down as North Ormesby’s representative.
“I was at most wanting to stay on to announce North Ormesby’s new post office, which Big Local played a huge part in securing.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and contacted me during this extremely difficult time.
“Your support was amazing. Thank you to my ward and Antony High Middlesbrough residents for all their support over the past few years.
Mr Waters, who was elected as an independent for the North Ormesby ward in 2019, was paid £20,000 a year in allowances for attending council meetings and related meetings of Cleveland Fire Authority.
He was a member of four council committees, and he was also a member of the executive committee for Middlesbrough’s regeneration. Middlesbrough is a recognised area of the UK with the highest levels of poverty.
Joan McTigue, an independent councillor, accused Mr Waters of neglecting his duties on the council. She made repeated complaints about Mr Waters’ domestic arrangements and claimed he was neglecting those he was elected to represent.
Mail Online was informed by Cllr McTigue that McTigue is the only councillor representing North Ormesby. This is one of the most deprived areas in the country and there is no one looking after it.
The videos clearly show that he is still there for good. They refer to the chateau “our new home, our new way of living”.
Graham Wilson, an Independent Councillor in a neighboring Ward, told the paper that he had received dozens upon dozens of complaints from residents who were unable contact Mr Waters.
One of Mr Waters’ most recent videos shows him explaining how one of the outbuildings will be repaired on the grounds. The video is 30 minutes long and was uploaded one week ago.
Other videos show aerial views of chateau showing the progress since September 2020.
Another video shows the restoration of an antique fireplace. While the first episode takes you on a tour through the property, which was left uninhabitable after 50 years of neglect.
The four members of the Middlesbrough quartet have been staying in caravans on the site during renovations.
According to the NE Child Poverty Commission Middlesborough has the highest child poverty rates of any of the 12 North East England authorities.
Middlesbrough Council has provided figures that show Mr Waters has a 60% attendance record at meetings and has the full approval from the council to commute from the chateau.
Mr Waters previously defended his decision not to spend much time at the chateau.
In January, Mr Waters stated that he was able attend online meetings and assist his constituents with any problems.
He also maintained that he still owns a Middlesbrough home and pays council tax.
Mr Waters disclosed that he has Crohn’s disease. This affects the immune systems and makes it more likely for him to contract Covid-19. So he felt safer in the small, sparsely populated area surrounding the chateau.
Mr Waters, who was elected as an independent for the North Ormesby ward in 2019, was paid £20,000 a year in allowances for attending council meetings and related meetings of Cleveland Fire Authority Pictured, the Middlesborough Transporter Bridge
He stated that he had not attended a face to face meeting since March 23, 2013, so it was irrelevant from where he attends meetings.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Timbuktu or Tokyo, France, North Ormesby, Tokyo, or North Ormesby.
“We’ve been working remotely. What does it matter if I can still do my job?”
“My residents still call me and when they have issues, they get it resolved immediately, just like they have always done.”
“I try to help my ward, and make sure my Ward is as good as possible – I don’t know what else to do.
He said, “If the residents asked for me to step down,” pointing out that she is not a resident of my house.
“There is no complaint from my resident – the only complaint that has been made is by Cllr McTigue. I’m doing my work.
The YouTube videos were viewed over 17,000 times and received many positive comments as well as suggestions for renovation work.
Many people have been persuaded to move to France by the TV series “Escape to the Chateau”.
The reality series features Dick Sawbridge (former army officer) and Angel Adoree (partner), as they renovate a 45-room, 19th-century chateau in Martigne sur Mayenne.