…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
A Labour councillor and former chair of her local community council, Cllr Margaret Phelan, is facing demands for her disqualification following claims that she has not attended any meetings for the past six months.
Independent members of the Labour-majority Brackla Community Council argue that Cllr Phelan should be disqualified from her position, citing section 85 of the Local Government Act of 1972, which outlines the conditions for ceasing to be a member if one fails to attend meetings for six consecutive months without approval.
Dispute Over Attendance and Validity of Meetings
The independent members of the council allege that the last meeting Cllr Phelan attended was in September 2022 and assert that subsequent meetings were either inquorate or improperly conducted, casting doubt on their validity.
They maintain that Cllr Phelan’s position as a town councillor should be terminated as per the regulations.
Disagreement and Grey Areas
Labour members, however, dispute the disqualification request, pointing to a HR committee meeting attended by Cllr Phelan in October 2022 as evidence of her participation and continued eligibility.
The disagreement revolves around the interpretation of whether this particular meeting should count towards resetting the six-month attendance requirement.
Increasing Tensions and Accusations
The dispute has grown increasingly acrimonious in recent months, with accusations of improper conduct exchanged between the parties.
Debates have arisen regarding the resolution of the matter, with differing opinions on whether it has been settled or not.
Urgency for a Decision and Resolution
Independent member Cllr. Keith Hughes emphasizes the significance of the issue to residents and expresses a need for prompt resolution.
He highlights the importance of properly addressing the matter, calling for a decision as soon as possible to ensure clarity and fairness for all involved.
Upcoming Meeting to Discuss the Issue
The dispute will once again be on the agenda for discussion at the next full meeting of Brackla Community Council on June 15, 2023.
Representatives of the council have refrained from providing further comment at this stage.