Councillors call for by-election

12:46pm Tuesday 23rd August 2005

A COUNCILLOR picking up nearly £10,000-a-year in allowances while running a Cornish hotel is being urged to step down and allow a by-election to be held.

Councillor Chris Wordingham, who represents West Wickham ward, has been running the business in Cornwall for the past few months while continuing to claim his £9,470 basic allowance.

The Conservative councillor, who sold his home in Mount Pleasant, Biggin Hill, in April, failed to attend the last full council meeting on July 4 and is presently on no committees or working parties.

He holds no surgeries, has no landline contact phone number, his mobile is constantly switched off and he does not respond to emails.

Opposition parties are now calling for Cllr Wordingham to resign and allow a by-election, but the Tories are refusing.

Liberal Democrat group chairman Councillor Grace Goodlad said: "I think it's terrible that he's taking £10,000-a-year but not representing the residents.

"If I lived in West Wickham I'd be demanding a third off my council tax. There should be no taxation without representation."

Independent councillor Rod Reed said: "It's simply not good enough for someone who's not around to be picking up £10,000-a-year."

Tory group spokesman Councillor Neil Reddin said: "He's setting up a business and that's why he's standing down next May. It's a temporary situation.

"We have three councillors in West Wickham who share the work out and Cllr Wordingham is doing his best to continue representing his residents."

He added that a by-election at this stage in the council term was not worthwhile.

Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: "Cllr Wordingham is perfectly entitled to leave the borough as long as people are getting the service and attention they need. I'm convinced that is happening."

Beckenham Conservative chairman Malcolm Highland said: "There are still two very adequate councillors there. I've had no complaints."

Cllr Wordingham was unavailable for comment.