A COUNCILLOR has hit out at his fellow councillors after he was sacked for not attending meetings.

Conservative Mark Brown received the push from Frinton and Walton Town Council last Thursday, leaving the town council facing its second by-election.

Walton voters already go to the polls on Thursday November 3, following the recent resignation of Conservative Dave Fitz-Hardy.

At last week’s meeting of Frinton and Walton Town Council members debated whether Mr Brown wished to remain on the council. They also heard he had been ill and had not enjoyed being a councillor.

Town mayor Jack Robertson (Tendring First) said: “I’m giving him his cards. His six months is up.”

Mr Brown told the Gazette this week that leaving the council was down to two major factors.

He said: "I am hopefully recovering from firstly cancer and, secondly, a further complication that arose as a consequence of my thirteen hour surgery.

"A good friend recently passed away as a result of cancer and these things put a different perspective on how one spends one's time."

Mr Brown said when he was elected in 2015 he hoped to make a difference but he and fellow Conservatives were thwarted by Tendring First occupying all the sub-committee places and charitable positions as they hold a majority on the town council.

He said: “Despite having attended nearly all meetings until six months ago, from a practical standpoint, I felt unable to represent those that voted for me. I would have attended last week's meeting to explain but was informed that due process had to be instigated, making attendance somewhat irrelevant.

"I shall now continue to help and support various local sports clubs."

Deputy Mayor Robert Bucke (Tendring First) said he was “very sorry” Mr Brown hasn’t been well, but nobody told the council, otherwise it would have been supportive.

Councillors can still represent their residents by turning up at meetings to air their views, even if they are not on the committee.

He added: "Staying at home doesn’t do the job."

Mr Brown’s departure leaves the town council seeking nominations for this second vacancy, which will be filled by co-option if insufficient nominations are received.

For the November 3 by-election, the candidates are Conservative Mark Cossens, a district councillor and former town mayor, and former district councillor Anne Oxley of Tendring First. Both their spouses Andrea Cossens and David Oxley already sit on the town council.

Polling is from 7am and 10pm at Emmanuel Church Hall in New Pier Street and at St George’s Community Centre in Hall Lane.