Attendance at meetings

Question

I have read with interest the answers on the 6 month rule and disqualification of non attendance of councilors.

If a council do not meet in August or December how does the 6 month rule work. Reason asking is that if a  Cllr comes to a meeting in March but then does not attend until October has the 6 month rule come into force, or does the fact that as the council do not meet in August make a difference. Also are the Council incorrect in allowing  a Cllr to stay in Office, without a dispensation , if the 6 month rule has been broken.

Answer 1

a) the rule is 6 consecutive months commencing on the date of the last meeting attended; regardless of the number of meetings held in that period.

b) the question of a dispensation is irrelevant.  If a councillor has not attended a meeting or a duty approved by the council for 6 consecutive months then its sudden death ... they're out unless the council has resolved to accept a reason for the absence.

Answer 2

The council should pass a resolution on dispensation if you have a good reason, and sometimes councillors have a right for leave (for maternity for example).

Have you spoken to the chair or clerk about this?