A COUNCILLOR has come under fire for going on a cruise despite missing last month's full council meeting because he was 'not well enough'.

Ahead of the Town Hall meeting on September 7 Cllr Kevin Bennett (TUSC – Fairfield and Howley) informed members he would be absent because of illness following chest pains.

Cllr Bennett, who was initially set to put forward nine questions and a motion, said he had an inflammation on the wall of his heart before experiencing back pains and sleeping problems.

In an e-mail to members he added: "The medication I am taking causes me to slur my words and makes me sleepy.

"I had hoped to be able to come off them before but without them the pain is so intense that I must now accept that I am not going to make it to the meeting."

But concerns were raised after it was revealed that Cllr Bennett went on holiday.

After being contacted he has confirmed he went on a cruise but insists he would 'not have been well enough' to attend the meeting.

"My wife booked it at the last minute and told me that I needed total rest as I tried to get myself going but kept relapsing," he said.

"It was only on September 25 that I felt well again, it was the best I had felt in eight weeks.

"If anyone wants to come along with me and have a chat with my doctor I wouldn't have any problem with that.

"I would have been quite entitled to give apologies for being on holiday but the truth is as I said my wife made the decision for me to go away on holiday to convalesce."

A Labour councillor, who wishes to remain anonymous, criticised Cllr Bennett for his actions.

The councillor said: "Residents expect and rightfully deserve full representation at full council and to ensure that their voices are heard but Cllr Bennett seems to be building up a bit of a track record for ignoring his duties.

"He's happy to take his allowance and book holidays in the knowledge of dates fixed ahead so why not go on another date when it didn't clash and fulfil his obligations?"

Cllr Bennett believes some at the Town Hall are continually trying to 'discredit' him

"They tried to say that there was nothing wrong with me last year when I had to take three months out because of the stress they caused by their bullying and intimidation but again I made the offer for them to contact my doctor," he added.

"They will do or say anything to try and discredit me – they never apologise when the truth comes out."