Council member loses her seat after failing to attend meetings for six months

Melanie Thornton was disqualified from her Hetton Downs seat on Hetton Town Council at a meeting on Monday night. Town Clerk Graeme Keedy said the process of electing a replacement for Coun Thornton had already begun.

“I can confirm that Coun Melanie Thornton been disqualified under the six month rule referred to in section 85 of the 1972 Local Government Act,” he said. The vacancy has been declared with Sunderland City Council and the Notice of Vacancy has been published.”

Section 85 of the Local Government Act is intended to ensure good attendance by councillors and requires them to attend meetings unless they have a good reason, approved by the council, not to do so. If they fail to attend or provide a satisfactory explanation in order to have their attendance excused, their membership automatically lapses after six months.

The latest notice of vacancy was served on Thursday, October 20.

If ten electors for the ward request an election within 14 days of the notice being served – Wednesday, November 9 – then an election will be held to fill the vacancy. If not, it will be filled by co-opting a new member onto the council. In the event a election is held, it will take place not later than Tuesday, January 17.

Coun Thornton is also a member of Sunderland City Council, on which she has represented the Copt Hill ward since 2019. The Echo has approached Coun Thornton for comment.