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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COUNCIL

22 APRIL 2009

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

Report prepared by Neil Harris

           COUNCILLOR SELLAR

As the Council will be aware Councillor Sellar near to the end of last year suffered a stroke from which he has been recovering since that time. However during this period he has been unable to attend any Council meetings. Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 if you do not attend a meeting of the authority for a period of 6 months you cease to be a Council member unless the Council has agreed that the period can be extended.

Councillor Sellar last attended a meeting on 21 November 2008 and therefore his 6 month period would conclude on 20 May 2009 which coincidentally is the day of the Annual Meeting of Council. Whilst it is possible that Councillor Sellar will have recovered in time to attend the Annual meeting it might be appropriate for the Council to give consideration as to whether it approve his absence beyond the 6 month period to give Councillor Sellar time to fully recover. However the Council in agreeing this might also indicate that it would wish to review the matter at your meeting on 24 June.

           RECOMMENDED:

That, in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council consider whether it should approve Councillor Sellar’s absence beyond the 6 month period to give him time to fully recover and that the matter be further reviewed at the Council meeting on 24 June 2009 if necessary.