A councillor’s secondment to America has not left constituents in the lurch, say Conservatives.
Councillor Robert-John Tasker, whose ward is Coombe Vale, flew to America at the beginning of September for a trial period with a company, believed to be global advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, in Philadelphia.
The young Tory, who continues to receive his councillor’s allowance, said he had been carrying out constituency work while he was away, via email and telephone.
He said residents who did not use email could contact him through the Conservative office or councillors James White and Adrian Holder, who also represent the ward.
Under the councillor’s code of conduct, councillors are free to live or work wherever they choose as long as they attend a full council meeting every six months.
Leader of the council, Liberal Democrat councillor Derek Osbourne said in the past councillors had been absent from the country for periods of time due to family or health reasons.
However, he added: “He (Coun Tasker) is entitled to continue as a councillor but there’s an ethical position that if he’s in Philadelphia and is working there and is not intending to come back then he should be considering his position.”
Head of the Conservative office, Kathy Furness said they were waiting to hear from Coun Tasker about what was happening with his visa and whether he would get an extension.
Coun Tasker, who attended his last official council meeting on July 14 this year, stood down from the shadow front bench before he left and said he did not claim a special responsibility allowance.
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