Chineham Ward Borough Councillor Resigns

Long standing, but poor attending, Conservative borough councillor, John Downes has resigned from his role as a councillor representing the Chineham Ward. 

Spotlight is sorry to hear that he has been suffering ill-health, but also notes that his resignation occurred a  matter of only hours before he would have been statutorily removed from office by virtue of non-attendance at council meetings for a period of six months.  In cases of severe ill-health and other difficult circumstances, the council can excuse members from attending. 

It is difficult to understand why the Conservative Party,  knowing John Downes' long history of abysmal attendance, continued to reselect him as their representative and thus insulted the electorate with a placemat rather than an active advocate on behalf of Chineham Ward residents. Some might say that this is the outcome of party politics where the parties remain desperate to keep their numbers up, irrespective of service commitment.

A by-election (at considerable and needless public expense) has been called and will take place on 15th October.