A councillor battling ill-health is set to be granted leave from council meetings until May next year.

Councillor Oliver Whittle, ward member for Wescott, was last present at a council meeting on Thursday, July 19.

A report produced for the council read: “Regulations state that where a council member fails to attend any meeting of the relevant authority, throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, subject to certain exceptions, he/she ceases to be a member of the authority.

“However the authority can approve the member’s non-attendance for specified reasons.”

Fellow ward member for Wescott Julian McGhee-Sumner told the News: “Oliver is about to undergo treatment which will necessitate him being away from the council for several months.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at Wokingham Borough Council next year where he will continue the good work he has been doing for our residents.”

The council is set to approve the councillor’s absence through to May 2019 at a meeting on Thursday, November 22.

Should Cllr Whittle need to further the leave approval, the council would review its decision in six months time.

Cllr Whittle was elected in May 2016 having lived in Wescott for 37 years.