A DIRECTOR of music for churches in the Belbroughton and Fairfield areas who donated back half his payments complained he was unfairly sacked following an alleged “power struggle”.

Mark Checkley, of Belbroughton, who was also an organist and choir master, lost his appointment with the Parochial Church Council of Belbroughton and the nearby village of Fairfield.

He sought approval at a Birmingham Employment Tribunal preliminary hearing to go ahead with compensation claims for unfair dismissal and for the unauthorised deduction of wages against the church council.

The respondents opposed the cases going ahead after Mark Williams, representing the church council, alleged Mr Checkley had worked in an honorary capacity and had not been an employee – preventing him from seeking compensation for unfair dismissal.

Charles Crowe, representing Mr Checkley, disageed and said that although he had not been a member of the clergy his office came under the clergy and he was paid under contract.

Mr Checkley, who joined the church council in 1995, donated half of his payments to the church, said Mr Crowe.

St Mark’s and Holy Trinity are two main churches in the area.

The tribunal was told Mr Checkley was suspended and eventually dismissed following internal issues which Mr Crowe described as a “power struggle.”

Mr Checkley admitted he had several altercations with another colleague and that they” did not get on and did not like each other”.

There had also been talk about the other person taking over from Mr Checkley if he died, Mr Williams said.

The tribunal was told Mr Checkley’s job was to produce music for services at Holy Trinity in Belbroughton and St Mark’s in Fairfield and that there had been a discussion about one choir serving two churches plus the formation of a village choral society.

There had also been talk about Mr Checkley moving to a church in Clent, it was said.

Mr Checkley was said to have been absent from his appointments at one stage while suffering from a chest infection.

Tribunal judge Vera Jones decided Mr Checkley had been an employee and that he could go ahead with his compensation claims for unfair dismissal and for the unauthorised deduction of wages at a full tribunal hearing at a later date.

“I am satisfield that there was a contract of employment,” she said.