A LOCAL authority is to vote on whether to extend a leave of absence for an ill councillor.
Councillor Jo Fergus, the Conservative member for Gainford on Teesdale District Council, has been unable to attend meetings since breaking her hip in June.
If a councillor fails to attend for six consecutive months, they automatically cease to be a member of the council, unless their failure is due to a reason approved by the council or they have a statutory excuse such as being in the armed forces at war.
The council has been recommended to approve an extended leave of absence but must do this before the council meets on December 1.
A full meeting of the council will discuss the matter on Wednesday at 2pm.
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