A COUNCILLOR has only attended one council meeting over the last six months but claimed events ‘conspired against him’.
A member of the public contacted The Chronicle, concerned about Cllr Richard Lowe’s ‘poor attendance’.
The Conservative City ward member, who receives a basic allowance of £11,458, said: “I don’t disagree with that. It’s purely because it’s been one thing after another.
“One meeting I was involved in a car crash, another there was a meeting in work which I couldn’t get out of until late.
“I know as well as anybody else that’s not fantastic but I give my apologies as and when I can,” added the councillor, who had the Conservative whip withdrawn last year for making a sick joke about missing Madeleine McCann on Facebook.
Cllr Lowe, 25, of Vicars Cross, has only attended one of seven council meetings since last October, including missing three of four full council meetings – a 14% attendance record.
But he must carry out his council activities alongside his teacher training course as he strives to become a social sciences teacher at secondary school.
Cllr Lowe insisted he takes seriously his responsibility to represent his ward, which is also covered by fellow Tory councillors Max Drury and Tom Parry.
“It’s not because I have not wanted to (attend). Events have conspired against me,’ added Cllr Lowe, whose council work also includes attending community meetings and taking phone calls and emails from constituents to resolve issues.
“It’s never been a case of ‘I couldn’t be bothered’, otherwise I would not have put myself up for election.”
Tory council leader Mike Jones is among members with a 100% attendance record.
