Absent councillors are infuriating colleagues

Jun 11 2009 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

COUNCILLORS who rarely attend Beaconsfield Town Council meetings have been criticised by their colleagues.

At a town council meeting on June 3, six of the 16 councillors were absent, and at the previous meeting, it was seven.

This is a regular occurrence with the same culprits staying away time and time again, councillors present complained.

Councillor Alan Hardie said: "These people take on the role, it's a responsible role, and they need to treat it in the way that their residents would expect."

Councillor Ken Brown said: "Not to turn up, unless they've had an accident, and to continue not to turn up, is very upsetting. These people are not even giving apologies."

The Advertiser did try to contact three councillors who have rarely been spotted by Advertiser reporter Polly Manser since she started covering fortnightly council meetings in November, although she has not attended them all.

Councillor Steve Jones, who runs a property management company, said he went to a meeting 'a couple of weeks ago' but couldn't say how often he attends.

He said: "I go to the AGM and if I feel that there's an item on an agenda that warrants my attention then I go. I have views about the justification of a fortnightly meeting. It's OK for the people who are retired and have lots of time."

He added: "Some people measure their ability by attendance rather than what they achieve."