Councillor couple lose their jobs after failing to go to a meeting for over six months
A husband-and-wife pair of Labour councillors have lost their seats on Pontypool Community Council in Wales after failing to attend any council business for more than six months. Jules and Bob Rogers, who had also served on the council's planning and environment committee, represented the Abersychan and Cwmavon ward before the council declared their positions vacant, a step that matters because it leaves the ward without local representation and triggers a formal by-election process.
At least ten voters from the ward must request a by-election by 25 August, after which Torfaen Borough Council's chief executive and returning officer, Stephen Vickers, would set a contest date within 60 days; if that threshold isn't met, the council will instead fill the seat by co-option. Bob Rogers had previously stood unsuccessfully as a Labour candidate for Torfaen Borough Council in 2022. The Independent has contacted the couple and the community council for comment, and the case follows a separate incident in which a Reform UK councillor in Newcastle-under-Lyme withdrew a resignation letter after it was mistakenly sent to the wrong local authority.
- Councillor couple lose Pontypool seats after 6+ months' absence
- Ward vacancy declared; by-election possible if 10 voters request it
- Deadline for by-election request is 25 August
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Community councils are the most local tier of government in Wales. They represent residents on local issues and can take part in decisions such as planning, while borough councils have wider responsibilities.
Pontypool Community Council serves communities in Torfaen, including the Abersychan and Cwmavon ward. Its councillors are elected to represent local residents; when a seat becomes vacant, residents may be able to request a by-election, or the council may fill it by co-option, which means choosing someone to serve without a public vote.
A vacant seat can leave a ward without an elected voice on the community council until it is filled. The rules for filling it determine whether residents vote for a replacement or the council selects one.