Councillors - Procedures when unable to perform duties.

The request was successful.

Dear Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council,

I am writing to ascertain the following:

If a councillor is unable to perform their duties:

What procedure is in place to ensure the council 'day to day' activity remains functioning ?

Are the councillors subject to the same procedures as an employee of the council, when on a prolonged absence? for example - interviewed to ascertain if they can continue in their role?

In view of the current economic climate, where every pound makes a difference, at what point would the council feel it is in the best interests of the community (council tax payer) to request a councillor step down from their role(s)?

Do councillors have regular medicals to ensure they are fit for office?
If the councillors have medicals are they funded by the council or their political party, to which they have allegiance?

Yours faithfully,

Wayne Tully

InfoMgr, FinDMT, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Tully

 

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information enquiry. Please see the
Council’s response below.

 

If a councillor is unable to perform their duties:-

What procedure is in place to ensure the council 'day to day' activity
remains functioning ?

If a Councillor is unable to fulfil their day to day ward
responsibilities, they may ask the other two ward Members to provide any
cover required.

 

Are the councillors subject to the same procedures as an employee of the
council, when on a prolonged absence? for example - interviewed to
ascertain if they can continue in their role?

Councillors are not subject to the same procedures as an employee of the
Council when on a prolonged absence. Being a Councillor is not a form of
employment.

 

In view of the current economic climate, where every pound makes a
difference, at what point would the council feel it is in the best
interests of the community (council tax payer) to request a councillor
step down from their role(s)?

Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Council
Member fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the
date of his last attendance, he ceases to be a member of the authority
unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend. The office
does not become vacant automatically and becomes vacant only when the
Council declares it to be vacant. Once the Council declares it to be
vacant, a casual vacancy arises.

 

Do councillors have regular medicals to ensure they are fit for office?

If the councillors have medicals are they funded by the council or their
political party, to which they have allegiance?

Individual Councillors may undergo medicals and if they do they are not
funded by the Council or their political party.

 

We trust this answers your enquiry in full.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Lynette Paterson

Senior Information Management Officer

Business Services - Digital

 

Wallasey Town Hall

Brighton Street
Wallasey
Wirral
CH44 8ED 

[1]Tel: 0151 691 8201

[2][Wirral Borough Council request email]

 

 

[3]LGC Awards15_Winner_MIP

 

 

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