Jules and Bob Rogers, a married couple, have lost their positions as councillors on Pontypool Community Council after failing to attend any meetings for six months. The authority has been forced to declare two vacancies for the Abersychan and Cwmavon ward.
Background of the councillors
Both were elected as Labour councillors for the ward. Mr Rogers also stood as a Labour candidate for Torfaen Borough Council in the 2022 local government elections in the Abersychan ward but did not win one of the three seats. He is a former editor of the Pontypool Free Press and previously worked as a steelworker.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has been unable to contact Mr and Mrs Rogers, and the Torfaen Labour Party has not responded to a request for comment.
Next steps for residents
Residents of Abersychan and Cwmavon now have the opportunity to request a by-election to fill the vacancies caused by the couple's failure to attend council meetings. At least 10 electors from the ward must submit a request for a by-election by the deadline of 5pm on Thursday, August 25.
If the threshold is met, Stephen Vickers, chief executive of Torfaen Borough Council and the returning officer for the area, must set a date for a by-election within 60 days. If the required 10 requests are not received, the community council will fill the vacancy by co-option as soon as practicable after the deadline.
Requests for an election must be submitted in writing to Stephen Vickers at Torfaen County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6YB, or by emailing stephen.vickers@torfaen.gov.uk.
