Hounslow councillor set to forfeit seat due to lack of attendance

Six months’ absence from council meetings disbars Brentford councillor Balraj Sarai from continuing in post

Following his failure to attend yesterday’s Brentford and Syon Area Forum, (Monday 2 December), Hounslow Labour Councillor Balraj Sarai is set to forfeit his seat due to a prolonged period of absence from official meetings.

Under the Local Government Act, councillors automatically vacate their seat if they are absent for a period of six months without special dispensation. The councillor for Syon and Brentford Lock last attended a council meeting on 23 July and, as yesterday’s Brentford Area Forum was the last official meeting until 28 January, he will now reach six consecutive months of failing to attend a council meeting.

Councillor Sarai has regularly finished bottom of the table for councillor casework, completing just 11 recorded pieces of casework since his election in May 2022, compared to an average of 98 pieces of casework per year for other local councillors.

Hounslow Labour can now only avoid a by-election by calling an extraordinary meeting of the council over Christmas to pass a motion formally approving of and extending Cllr Sarai’s six month absence.

Commenting on Councillor Sarai’s likely forfeiture, the Hounslow Conservative Group said:

“Hounslow Labour’s councillor in Syon and Brentford Lock has badly let down residents, having been absent from the community and official events ever since he was elected.

“Cllr Sarai last attended a council meeting in July and his failure to attend this evening’s Area Forum, combined with the fact there are now no official meetings of his committees until January 28th, means he will now have to vacate his seat under Section 85 of the Local Government Act.

“It’s time to give voters in Syon and Brentford Lock a long awaited by-election, giving them the chance to kick out Hounslow Labour and finally have a councillor who cares about this area.”

This is the second embarrassment to Hounslow’s ruling Labour group in a matter of days, as Cllr Guy Lambert has been suspended from the party for criticising his party for dragging its heels over development in Brentford.

READ ALSO: Brentford West Councillor Guy Lambert suspended by Hounslow Labour Group

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