A Norfolk council that was ridiculed after introducing a 'red card' system for members who are experiencing high levels of anxiety says progress on its implementation of the measures has been "stalled".
Wymondham Town Council unanimously agreed to introduce the policy, proposed by Green councillor Joe Barrett, at a meeting last month.
The measures will see councillors hold up cards to indicate they need to leave the room for mental health reasons, and allow them to exit to a specially-designated room next door.
Here, they will be provided with water and advice on 'grounding techniques', such as breathing exercises.
However, Mr Barrett says the introduction of the system, which was subject to fiery criticism from a former colleague, has been delayed.
He said: "I was intending to write some documents to support any councillors who went into that room. But unfortunately, due to some of the reporting that has created a hostile and degrading environment, I don't actually feel that I am able to use the reasonable adjustments.
"This has stalled my progress on that but I do hope to remedy that soon."
WHY WAS THE SYSTEM INTRODUCED?
The 'red card' system was brought in after Mr Barrett suffered a "psychiatric emergency" at a meeting in February.
It was triggered by an incident which saw long-standing councillor Tony Holden step down with a 45-second resignation speech in which he accused fellow members of "achieving nothing".
Mr Barrett, who is autistic and has ADHD and PTSD, was not one of the targets of Mr Holden's accusations but said his words had caused him to have a "serious dissociative episode".
Mr Barrett, who was elected in May last year, said the unexpected criticisms had been "catastrophic" for him and the situation had been worsened by the lack of a "perceived means of escape".
"[Mr Holden] didn't do anything directly to me, but his behaviour broke our agreement as a council by making this attack," Mr Barrett said.
"That conflict was the cause of a serious dissociative flashback."
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'WYMONDHAM WETS'
Mr Holden criticised the proposed scheme and dubbed his former colleagues the 'Wymondham wets'.
He said he had previously apologised to Mr Barrett for inadvertently causing him distress, but felt the issue had been taken too far.
"If you can't stand the heat, you need to get out of the kitchen," he said.
"I don't know if they're a bit wet or just trying to find a meaning in what they're doing. They're using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
"The council isn't fit for purpose. They're fragile and have lost their way. This is so unnecessary.
"I'm being used as a scapegoat. People can walk out of a meeting any time that they want to, but if you're not in a meeting then you're not representing your community - democracy has just gone out of the window."
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
The 'red card' system will see councillors hold up cards to indicate they need to leave the room for mental health reasons.
Mr Barrett initially suggested red cards should be used, but other councillors decided they should instead raise their name cards, because of the "negative connotations" of red cards.
Once they have raised their cards, councillors will be able to go to the room next door.
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