£46,000 bill for 'missing' councillor

The Advertiser reported last week that Mr Sharp had quit his seat on the Wales ward.

His departure came after discussions with Conservative group leader John Gilding about Mr Sharp’s attendance record at council meetings, although Mr Gilding said then that he had no idea why Mr Sharp had decided to quit just five weeks before the local council elections.

This week it has emerged that he attended just 15 meetings in four years.

Over the same period he claimed £46,434 in basic allowances.

He had appeared at just nine of 34 full council meetings—the last coming almost two years ago—and six sessions of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel.

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His record has been criticised by the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Labour rivals and even his Tory colleagues.

Mr Sharp, who was unavailable for comment this week, has not been picked to stand again in May.

The party will instead field Wales Parish Council chairman Gill Shaw, who has pledged to attend meetings and fight for the ward.

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We’re bitterly disappointed with him . . Tory colleagues speak out. SEE THIS WEEK’S ADVERTISER.