Ex- Walsall Labour leader's council leave set to be extended
Council bosses are set to extend a former Walsall Council leader’s leave of absence until the end of his elected term due to his ill health.
Sean Coughlan stepped down as leader of Walsall's Labour group back in April and has not attended meetings since February due to mental health problems.
A report to full council, which meets on Monday, is now recommending that Councillor Coughlan, who has represented Willenhall South since 1995, be excused from meetings until May next year.
That is also when his current term of office is due to expire.
The Local Government Act states that any councillor that fails to attend any meeting for six months ceases to be a member of the authority, unless exemptions are granted.
A report to full council said: “The council has discretion to set the period of time for an extension of absence until the term of office of a councillor has ended. The term of office for Councillor Coughlan ceases in May 2020.
“Councillor Sean Coughlan last attended a meeting of the authority on February 28, 2019 and will therefore cease to be a member of this authority on August 28, 2019, unless council grant approval for an extension of this period of absence.”
When news of his illness emerged, his wife and fellow Willenhall South councillor Diane Coughlan said that she felt guilty over his illness.
She said: “It is clear from his doctor that this has not happened overnight and that he has been suffering for a long time.
“I feel guilty that I have not realised the full extent of his illness.”
Aftab Nawaz was elected as the new Walsall Labour group leader after the local elections in May.
