Former Leicester Lord Mayor Robert Wann facing the axe over no-shows
Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann faces being kicked off the city council for not attending a meeting in nearly six months.
The veteran Labour politician has not been present at any meetings since May 17, when he handed over the mayoral chains to Adbul Osman.
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Councillor Robert Wann, right, has not been present at any city council meetings since May 17, when he handed over the mayoral chains to Adbul Osman, left
Under council rules, any elected member who does not attend a meeting for six months is disqualified from being a councillor.
Yesterday's cancelled audit and risk committee meeting was the last he could have attended before the six-month deadline, November 17, passes.
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Coun Wann could yet attend the rescheduled meeting – for which a date has not yet been set – to avoid disqualification.
However, his no-shows have already frustrated a number of party colleagues, who say his absence has been noted by residents of Thurncourt ward, which he represents.
Should Coun Wann, who is paid £9,829 to be a councillor, be disqualified he would be the first in at least 20 years to lose his post for non-attendance.
He had previously told the Mercury he would be taking a break in June "to have a rest" after his year as Lord Mayor.
Labour group chief whip Coun Barbara Potter said: "He has been served notice by the legal department.
"Officers have been trying to contact him, (his fellow ward councillor) Luis Fonseca has been trying to contact him and I have been trying to contact him, but he has not responded to calls."
Coun Potter, who represents Humberstone and Hamilton, has been attending community meetings in Thurnby Lodge in Coun Wann's absence, to support Coun Fonseca in dealing with protests by residents over a Muslim community group's proposed leasing of a former Scout hut.
She said: "I went to a meeting in Thurncourt and the residents there challenged us about him.
"They wanted to know where Coun Wann was."
Thurnby Lodge Tenants' and Residents' Group chairman Wendy Biddles said: "We have Luis Fonseca and he's great but Wann hasn't been there to support him."
The city council confirmed Coun Wann had not attended a meeting since May 17 and said efforts had been made to make him go to meetings.
Among the meetings he has missed was a hearing of the standards committee in June at which it was found he brought his position as a councillor into disrepute by getting senior officers at the city council to cancel parking fines.
A council spokeswoman said Coun Wann could request an extension to the six-month period, but by last night he had not done so.
Comments
by sansue
Sunday, November 11 2012, 5:07PM
“"if he is not attending meeting he is not representing his constituents, so should be removed"
There is no power to do so I'm afraid. The 6 month disqualification rule is the only way of doing it. You cannot remove an elected councillor and other way.”
by prog_rock_fan
Friday, November 09 2012, 4:58PM
“Here's hoping the Council do to Mr Wann what he wanted to do to Aylestone Meadows.”
by nigham
Friday, November 09 2012, 3:48PM
“He can't find anywhere to park!”
by roundthehorne
Friday, November 09 2012, 1:01PM
“If the vote goes through at seven we'll have the 'dozers on him by half past!”
by Peter20101
Friday, November 09 2012, 12:50PM
“I agree with a couple of points made and this is my personal view:
1) if he is not attending meeting he is not representing his constituents, so should be removed
2) If the current structure is undermining the reason for having elected councillors, this is clearly incorrect and not the intention of a Mayor and as such should be challenged and changed.”
by Graham_LE8
Friday, November 09 2012, 12:22PM
“So he's not as enthusiastic now, as his 'we'll have the bulldozers in...' days?
The council can't contact him, his ward residents can't contact him. It amounts to dereliction of duty - I bet his business interests aren't suffering the same neglect.”
by karinfall1955
Friday, November 09 2012, 11:54AM
“I must say in view of recent happenings there seem to be some real 'quality' councillors of late. All they seem to be interested in is the status the position conveys yet balk at the thought of actually carrying out any duties!”
by 21213
Friday, November 09 2012, 11:52AM
“Can only agree with disident3 , councillors must feel redundant since SPS took control! One man , nobody elses imput or comments are needed !”
by PLYMFOX01
Friday, November 09 2012, 9:28AM
“So here we are, a Labour politician who is failing to attend council meetings so therefore he is failing to represent his constituents. No doubt he is still claiming his expenses so techically it could be said he is claiming something he is not entitled to. If so isnt this rather dishonest?”
by C_G_Lee
Friday, November 09 2012, 9:12AM
“What is happening with Leicester and Leicestershire councillors. All we seem to read of is local politicians either fiddling their expenses or not fulfilling their obligations. Why do they put themselves up for office if they do not intend to do the job that is required of them?”