Cllr Alan Hall has been granted extended leave after falling unwell, with the council approving his absence from meetings for more than six months.

Councillors approved his absence at a full council meeting on Wednesday night (July 24).

Councillors have to attend at least one meeting in six months or face losing their seat, unless they are given leave.

Mr Hall’s family had contacted the authority to say he is unwell and unable to attend meetings, according to a council report.

Cllr Hilary Moore said the council wished him well.

“We send our best wishes to Cllr Hall and trust he’ll be back in the council chamber and council meetings shortly,” she said.

Mr Hall is an active councillor and sits on a number of committees, including the Health and Safety Committee, Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Public Accounts Select Committee.

He has been a ward councillor for Bellingham since 2006, and was born and raised in Lewisham.

His last attendance at a council meeting was at the Public Accounts Select Committee on June 13.

Lewisham Mayor Damien Egan said his case work will be picked up by his fellow councillors for Bellingham, Cllr Sue Hordijenko and Cllr Jacq Paschoud, and wished Cllr Hall a speedy recovery.