Council rejects councillor’s ‘lack of empathy’ claim following death of her son

A Llanelli councillor who was grieving the death of her terminally ill son has claimed that the council lacked empathy.

The Labour councillor was dealing with her son’s illness and stepped back from council duties. The councillor claims she informed the council by telephone but the council maintain that the notification should have been sent in writing.

Having missed more meetings due to her son’s death the councillor lost her position. The councillor is now standing again in a by-election.

In a statement a spokesperson for the council said: “The council is aware of personal comments made by one of its former councillors in a recent newspaper article regarding the circumstances surrounding the former councillor’s disqualification from holding office as a councillor with Llanelli Rural Council.

“The council rejects the comments made by the former councillor and categorically denies any involvement in the disqualification process.

“For the avoidance of doubt no decision was taken by the council to disqualify the former councillor because the disqualification process is governed and determined by the law, namely Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972. The council will not be making any further comment on the matter.”