ANDOVER residents have said they are disgusted and ashamed after a town council meeting descended into chaos - with councillors insulting each other and swearing - which led to the mayor walking out.

As previously reported, Andover Town Council met on Wednesday, January 24, to go through a 24-point agenda but tensions rose, and several councillors ended up in heated exchanges. 

The meeting came to ahead around an hour and 45 minutes in, when Cllr Richard Kidd told Cllr Mark Farren to “shut the f*** up” following a debate between Cllr Farren and Cllr Kevin Hughes, about council processes.

READ MORE: Andover Town Council meeting descends into chaos and arguments

Andover Advertiser: Andover Town Council

An Advertiser reporter spoke to residents in the town centre about the ordeal and was told the behaviour was 'disgusting' and 'shameful'. 

The idea of filming a mockumentary was proposed by Cllr Joseph Hughes at a meeting of the authority in September, in a bid to promote the town humorously, but also highlight businesses and charities in the town.

Cllr Joseph Hughes went ahead and released the film before Christmas, independent of the council. The film sparked 16 letters of complaints from residents. 

During the meeting, the first of the new year, members of the public asked questions of Andover Mayor, Cllr Robin Hughes, and the council as a whole, regarding the mockumentary. 

The public showed dissatisfaction with the mockumentary upload and suggested the town council's reputation had been 'damaged' by the release of the video

This led to bickering and insults between several councillors, while others continuously spoke over each other.

Cllr Robin Hughes was forced to bang the gavel on more than one occasion and eventually ended up walking out of the room, during a swell of arguing and returned five minutes later.

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Eric, who lives near Andover, said: "They need to grow up. It is a bit sad because they are supposed to be elected councillors and they haven't even got control of themselves. 

"It is disgusting really that is the way they have chosen to act in a council meeting."

Andover resident Neil, who did not wish to give the Advertiser his surname, shared a similar view. 

He added: "It is absolutely disgraceful and falls far short from how they should act in public. It is shocking. Unfortunately, it seems to be a reflection of politicians these days. They should be really ashamed of themselves."

Also from Andover, Denise Hicks, added: "My opinion is that people who represent our constituency should not be acting like that. There is a time and a place and people don't want to hear that in a public meeting.

"They should not be acting that way in a council meeting. With the way politics are these days people don't really have much faith as it is so this certainly won't help."

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Throughout the meeting members of the public expressed their disappointment with councillors with several comments, including calling for them to “be professional”, and highlighting the attendance of a reporter from the Advertiser.

The council was also forced to extend the meeting by half an hour, but due to constant disagreements, it was not able to complete the full agenda.

Following the meeting, a member of the public said: "This is absolutely unbelievable."

Six items from this week's agenda will now be discussed at the council’s next meeting on Wednesday, February 21.

A council spokesperson said: "The town clerk for Andover Town Council would like to sincerely apologise to the town’s residents for the way in which a few councillors behaved at the full council meeting on Wednesday 24 January 2024.

"Some of the language and behaviour displayed was unacceptable, and councillors will be asked reflect on how they can improve their conduct in future meetings."

Training sessions have also been arranged for the near future.