Forum Topic

Three  Isleworth Councillors  missing.

Cllrs Sampson, Green and Mayne, all recently elected Isleworth Councillors failed to attend the Isleworth  and Brentford Area Forum held last Thursday.Cllr Mayne was rewarded in his absence with his election to the Chair of the Forum so he will I presume be paid £1000 plus  'Special Responsibility allowance' of council funds  for this Forum meeting- whilst  being absent. He may wish to publicly state he will decline the allowance for this meeting.I note too that these three Councillors have publicly announced on their LBH 'Councillor' page that they are not prepared to attend any Public Surgery until September 2014.Disgraceful.

John Todd ● 4050d8 Comments

Generally speaking the council meeting rota goes into recess in August, planning usually goes ahead and a few other things that can't be left, but by and large the diary is empty.

Vanessa Smith ● 4048d

Cllr Green is away till the 22nd..

Simon Anderson ● 4049d

Councillors are entitled to take holidays like the rest of us and it certainly makes sense for Cllrs who do not have children to take their holidays before the schools break up so that they can enjoy somewhat cheaper air fares and accommodation. No doubt those who have taken holidays in July will be able to attend meetings and Area Forums in August but in my opinion its quite stupid to hold 'important' meetings in August if you want good attendance. It would never happen in the private sector where managers are able to plan ahead and forecast the inevitible.

Steve Taylor ● 4049d

It would not be unusual to have three councillors absent from an Area Forum meeting, particularly in August.  What has made this an issue for John I guess is the fact that all three represent the same ward.But I think he should have made some effort to establish the reasons for their absence before issuing forth.  Councillors, like anybody else, are entitled to a holiday and they certainly have no choice about being ill.

Phil Andrews ● 4049d

Aren't councillors entitled to an annual holiday then? A lot of councillors do not hold surgeries in August mainly because so many people are away, and you can sit in a room for a couple of hours and not see a soul. As these days people are contactable by e-mail all the time - I just don't see the problem.

Vanessa Smith ● 4049d

Are part-timers eligible for the same pay?

Philippa Bond ● 4049d

Cllr Mayne is indeed on holiday.

Steve Taylor ● 4050d

JohnI believe Councillor Green is currently unwell.  This information is already in the public domain.  I think you may also find that Councillor Sampson is or was recently away on holiday, although I stand to be corrected on this.

Phil Andrews ● 4050d