WELLINGBOROUGH Council has given one of its councillors an indefinite leave of absence as he recovers from a brain injury.
Popular South Ward member, Councillor Tom Partridge-Underwood, has been unable to attend any council meetings since his accident in September.
He suffered a fall at his home in Bozeat where he hit his head on a solid oak dresser.
As a result of medical advice he has been told not to attend any meetings but to rest after his injury.
Cllr Partridge- Underwood’s last recorded attendance was at the full council meeting on July 26 last year.
The Local Government Act states if a member doesn’t attend in six consecutive months they shall cease to be a member unless the failure is due to some reason approved by the authority.
If the council had not approved his absence, it would have to have held a by-election.
At a recent meeting the authority gave Cllr Partridge- Underwood all the necessary time he needed to recover.
He said: “It was pretty grim at the time. When it first happened I was suffering from headaches most days and at the point of impact on my head.
“I have had an MRI scan and there is no permanent damage and I will recover completely.”
He added: “I have been told not to do any public duty but I am able to do ward work from home.”
