Attendance record appals Lib Dem Councillor

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Mar 2007

Cllr Mills believes that councillors should attend more meetings or quit

Councillor's attendance has been so poor that some meetings have even had to be abandoned, it has been revealed.

This has particularly affected the influential Overview and Scrutiny Committee which monitors and checks decisions by the Tory cabinet, and consists of back bench councillors from both main parties.

Liberal Democrat councillors drew attention to this situation as long ago as 2005 but it seems it has taken to 2007 for the Council to admit the problem.

Tunbridge Wells Lib Dem leader, Councillor David Mills said "It appears that even Tory councillors are so demoralised by the lack of consultation from their own leaders that they feel there is little point in attending these meetings - however, this is no excuse. All councillors are now paid a decent allowance to cover their expenses. They also have a duty to fully represent the people who elected them. If neither of these things is enough to ensure they attend meetings, then they should stand down to make room for those who truly appreciate the role of local democracy."