Fareham Borough councillor quits after failing to attend meetings
A PORTCHESTER councillor has quit Fareham Borough Council after he failed to attend any council meetings in the last six months.
Lib dem Chris Brown, who represents Portchester East, has not attended a meeting since August 5 last year.
Cllr Sean Woodward, the leader of Fareham Borough Council, has told The News that in that time Cllr Brown has claimed more than £3,000 in members’ allowances.
Today Cllr Brown resigned rather than being disqualified. A by-election will now take place.
Cllr Jim Forrest, Liberal Democrat group leader, Fareham Borough Council said in a statement: ‘Chris’s Liberal Democrat colleagues are disappointed that he feels unable to continue serving on the Council to channel his obvious concern for the residents of Portchester East.
‘We apppreciate that the demands of running his own business have made it difficult for him to attend meetings, and respect his decision to say so honestly rather than to continue in a post whose public duties he was uncomfortable with.
‘We are grateful for the considerable work Chris has done behind the scenes for residents in Portchester. We pledge that Liberal Democrats will continue to serve those residents, in the council chamber and in the ward.’
The News has attempted to contact Cllr Brown prior to publication but has not been available to speak with us.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
sidious
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:10 PM@14 Who's Big Wendy? Don't tell me - someone else who's made you look a complete chump!
louse
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:30 PMComment removed by moderator
bigchill
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 05:50 PMDon't confuse expenses with allowances here. As long as a person is a councillor the allowance is paid. Attending a minimum of one meeting within any 6 month period seems a very small inconvenience. This is very unlike paid employment. A councillor who acts diligently, communicates with constituents regularly, fairly represents their views, attends meetings, offers constructive arguments and is well thought of in their community will get the same allowance as someone who doesn't do any of those things. One might argue that the next election is the deciding factor but when residents have a candidate chosen for them by the party, and often repeatedly foisted upon them, there's frequently not much change.
CouncilWatcher
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:23 PMIf this councillor didn't attend any meetings for 6 months he shouldn't have got a penny in expenses. Someone should make him pay the money back.
farehamscareham
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:22 PMWill anybody notice? The yellows and Blues that Fareham as a whole elect, just do as Ww tells em. It strikes me this liberal did his bit for the environment and saved the world the co2 emissions from the fuel he would have used attending.
mpbaz
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:51 PMI hope we have a choice in Porchester this time I hope the English Democrats will stand. We all know voting for any of the big three is like voting for one party they are all the same!! This time Portchester stand up and be counted make a real choice and vote for somebody and a party thast will represent you, not themselves, not their party and not the uk but YOU!!
oldfella
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 04:33 PMI totally agree with Sidious. I voted Conservative just to try to stop Nick Gregory being elected because I knew kind of person he is. Unfortunately he was elected. two months later he suddenly decided to switch partys. Why doesn't he stand down, and do the right thing for his constituents. Because he's too scared to.
sidious
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 03:03 PM@"Now the time for all the residents of Portchester East to elect a new Councillor who will truly serve and support them, do what they are elected to do," Coming from someone who got their council position by hoodwinking the electorate and NOT serving or supporting them, that's a bit rich!
gingerprince
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:16 PMHow ironic that the News could not contact him, given that he has letters published on the letters page on most days of the week!
griffon
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:41 PMIt seems the Lib Dems have a death wish nowadays. But frankly anybody with a proper job couldn't possibly consider serving on a council leaving the door open to mainly unemployed and retired people.
Nick Gregory
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:36 PMNow the time for all the residents of Portchester East to elect a new Councillor who will truly serve and support them, do what they are elected to do, not just recieve payment for the position. Someone who is willing to stand-up and be accountable. Patteam......... I will be happy to let you know how to become a councillor and what it involves........... Rogerpallen..................you are so right in your comment............illness or general emgergency are acceptable.......lack of interest is not, I agree.
sidious
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:26 PMShould have done what all the others do and just turn up.
Patteam
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:20 PMhow does one apply to be a councillor? seems like easy money to me...Gray
Rogerpallen
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:18 PMUnfortunately the rules are that a councillor can be absent for 6 months, this is to allow for illness or emergency but not pure disinterest in what they are elected for. Must be a Lib Dem
Gosport Lass
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:42 PMWhy did it take as long as 6 months and as much as £3,000 of expenses before this was picked up?
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