Stay-away councillor to receive honour

A stay-away Black Country councillor who was ousted from his seat because he moved to Wales but continued to claim £10,000 to represent his ward, is to be made an honorary alderman.

The decision to offer the title to former councillor George Turton, who stood down from Sandwell Council last month after 14 years, has today been called a "disgrace".

Councillors are eligible to become aldermen of the borough when they have served more than 11 years, but Tory Councillor Michael Middleton said "when you leave under a cloud you shouldn't then be honoured with a title".

He accused the former Labour councillor of doing "nothing for the community" while claiming £10,000 a year while living in Wales.

"I think this is an absolute disgrace. He did have long service for the council but the end of it he was nowhere to be seen. That can't be forgotten," he added.

Labour chiefs in Sandwell called on 66-year-old George Turton to quit his Wednesbury South ward last month, as he lives in Aberdovey.

Services

A by-election is to be held on October 1.

In July Councillor Turton was dropped from the adult services and health scrutiny panel leaving him without any council committees to sit on.

He was the vice chairman of the panel but has now been replaced by Councillor Pat Davies.

Latest records show that despite being vice chairman of the scrutiny panel Councillor Turton failed to turn up to the first meeting of the municipal year.

He has also made just one appearance at full council despite three meetings having already been held.

Mr Turton was suggested for the accolade by Sandwell Council's general purposes committee chaired by Councillor Ahmadul Haque.

Councillor Haque said: "He was a good councillor for many years."

When he announced he would finally quit the post, Mr Turton's wife, Alderman Linda Turton, said: "George is not well at the moment but wanted to let everyone know it has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to be their councillor."

She quit her role as councillor for West Bromwich Central last year.

By Lucy Townsend