Issue - meetings

Report CSD23072

The Local Government Act 1972 required a member of a Local Authority to attend at least one meeting of that Authority within a six-month consecutive period, to avoid being disqualified as a Councillor. This requirement could be waived and the time limit extended if any failure to attend was due to a reason approved by the Authority, in advance of the six-month period expiring. Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw was currently unwell and not expected to return to his duties as a councillor for some time and a waiver was sought to extend the period when he would not be required to attend a meeting.

Cllr Sam Webber, seconded by Cllr Melanie Stevens, moved an amendment to defer consideration of this matter to the next meeting, but this amendment was lost.

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to agree that a waiver of the six-month attendance requirement be granted to Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw, to extend his absence by up to a further six months to 10^th May 2024.