Councillor’s cancer fight sparks bitter argument

Reform member: absence at meetings ‘not fair on taxpayers’

- RACHEL ALEXANDER News Reporter

THE leader of Wolverhampton City Council has demanded an apology from a Reform UK councillor over comments made about a colleague with cancer.

Cllr Anita Stanley (Bilston North) faced fierce backlash at a full council meeting after she said granting a dispensation order for a colleague battling cancer was ‘unfair on taxpayers’

The order, now approved, means Cllr Carol Hyatt (Lab, Merry Hill) can continue to be a member without attending council meetings in person.

Under the Local Government Act, all local councillors are required to attend meetings within a six-month period to avoid disqualification.

Councils do have the power to grant dispensation orders for medical or other valid reasons but it must be voted on by elected members.

If it wasn’t approved, it would have resulted in a by-election for the Merry Hill ward at an estimated cost of £30,000.