Married Pontypool councillors lose roles after missing meetings

A husband and wife lost their positions as councillors after failing to attend any meetings for half a year.

Jules and Bob Rogers had both represented Labour as councillors for the Abersychan and Cwmavon ward on Pontypool Community Council.

But the local authority has had to declare two vacancies as the couple had not been turning up for any meetings for at least six months.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service was unable to contact the couple, while Torfaen Labour Party did not respond to a request for comment.

At least 10 voters from the ward must request a by-election to replace the Rogers’ by 25 August for one to take place.

If the threshold is met, Stephen Vickers, chief executive of Torfaen Borough Council and returning officer for the area, must set a date for a by-election within 60 days.

The community council will fill the vacancy by co-option if the required 10 requests for a by-election are not received.

This co-option will take place as soon as is practicable after the deadline to request an election has passed.

Bob Rogers stood for Labour as a Torfaen council candidate at the 2022 local government elections in the Abersychan ward but missed out on winning one of the three seats.

He is also a former editor of the Pontypool Free Press and worked as a steelworker.