Former senior Wolverhampton councillor forfeits seat
A Wolverhampton councillor has forfeited her seat after failing to attend a meeting for six months.
Hazel Malcolm was removed from her role at Wolverhampton Council last month.
She was due to step down in May 2020 for personal reasons but the Covid-19 pandemic postponed local elections.
Ms Malcolm was first elected on May 5, 2016, and represented Bushbury North.
She also served as a cabinet member for public health and wellbeing under the previous council leader.
Ms Malcolm officially forfeited her role on January 16.
David Pattison, director of governance at Wolverhampton Council, said: "Councillor Malcolm had been intending to stand down at the election in May 2020 for personal reasons, but the election was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The situation regarding councillor attendance is entirely governed by the law.
Disappointing
"Following her non-attendance at council meetings for a period of six months, Section 85 (1) of the 1972 Local Government Act automatically applies and a member automatically ceases to be a councillor."
The city's Labour group said her decision to forfeit the Bushbury North seat was disappointing.
The party is looking to field a new candidate in that ward during the next elections.
A spokesman for Wolverhampton Labour Group said: "At a time when so many Wolverhampton Labour councillors have played a vital role in our city’s response to the pandemic, it is disappointing that Hazel Malcolm has chosen to forfeit her seat.
"We look forward to May when the people of Bushbury North will have the chance to elect a hard working Labour councillor to stand up for their area."
During the time between May last year and January, Ms Malcolm would have received a councillor allowance.
There are no legal obligations for councillors to repay allowances in such circumstances.
Attempts were made to contact Ms Malcolm for comment, which proved unsuccessful.
