Former mayor dies after collapsing during meeting of 'Britain's craziest council'

A former mayor has died after collapsing during a meeting of 'Britain's craziest council'.Peter Neal, 68, was speaking as a member of the public at Attleborough Town Council's session in Norfolk on Monday.The former Attleborough councillor and mayor was speaking about the council's town clerk before it was decided the meeting should be continued behind closed doors.As members of the public began to leave the hall for this to happen, Mr Neal fell to the ground.Members of the council and public provided CPR to Mr Neal and a defibrillator was deployed.Despite their best efforts and an air ambulance being called to the scene, it was later confirmed Mr Neal had passed away. Mr Neal had been making a speech about the town's new clerk who had called in to the meeting via video call from Hampshire. Peter Neal, 68, was speaking as a member of the public at Attleborough Town Council's session in Norfolk on Monday when he collapsed and passed away Mr Neal served as mayor of Attleborough Town Council between 2002 and 2003 and was a founding member of a local boxing club (Pictured: Attleborough in Norfolk)He had said: 'Maybe I'm old school but I find it quite frightening that we've got somebody who is our town clerk 250 miles away.'We have been used to days of old where our clerk was not necessarily in the town but close to the town and knew the ins and outs and the ways forward.'And please, please can we find a way forward?'Deputy Mayor of Attleborough, Cllr Daniel Piddington, said after the tragedy: 'It is difficult to put into words the shock and sadness of what happened last night. Those moments will remain with all of us for a very long time.'When Peter needed us, everyone came together without hesitation. We did everything we possibly could to help him until the emergency services arrived.'Despite the devastating outcome, we hope we can take some comfort from knowing that Peter was surrounded by people who cared and that he was not alone.'Our hearts go out to Peter's family, friends and everyone fortunate enough to have known him.'In the days ahead, we hope we can continue to support one another as we come to terms with this terrible loss.'Mr Neal served as mayor of Attleborough Town Council between 2002 and 2003 and was a founding member of a local boxing club. Attleborough Boxing Club said in a statement Mr Neal would be remembered 'fondly for his quick wit and attention to detail, and his friendship and care he had for all'The council has been rocked in recent years with scandals which have seen the area nicknamed 'Battleborough' and some refer to its local authority as Britain's craziest council.One such row included then-Deputy Mayor Taila Taylor resigning from the council in August 2026 over scrutiny as to whether she had donated £10,000 to charity.The money was part of a £20,000 damages settlement from a 2021 wrongful-bullying claim against the council.Earlier this year, another row broke out after it emerged during a council meeting there was a 'formal request' for the clerk to monitor one councillor's emails.It led to allegations of spying and multiple councillors expressed concern their emails had been accessed without their permission. And to add to the general turmoil, Ms Taylor was struck by a car in a suspected hit-and-run outside her family pub, Norfolk Live reported. She has now left the council.Following the recent tragedy, a spokesperson for Attleborough Town Council said: 'Attleborough Town Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public suffered a serious medical emergency during last night's Council meeting and subsequently passed away.'The Council extends its sincere condolences to their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.'Attleborough Boxing Club said in a statement Mr Neal would be remembered 'fondly for his quick wit and attention to detail, and his friendship and care he had for all'.It added: 'Peter will live on in the club's ethos and culture and we will be forever thankful to firstly call him a friend, but the efforts and energy he injected into the community, the sport of boxing and the foundations we build today [sic].'Rest now Peter, you have helped so many and will continue to do so.' The town's flag was lowered to half-mast following Mr Neal's death. Deputy mayor Daniel Piddington said he extends his 'heartfelt condolences to the individual's family and friends' and that the flag was adjusted as a 'mark of respect'.An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called on Monday evening just after 8:40pm to a medical emergency at Queens Square, Attleborough.'Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.'Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the patient died at the scene.'