CONCERNS have been raised over poor attendance records at health and wellbeing board meetings – with the council leader showing up to just 19 per cent since June 2014.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin raised concerns over people, in particular Cheshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane, who is also a borough councillor for the Penketh and Cuerdley ward, failing to attend at the board's latest Town Hall meeting.

Members aim to provide the 'strategic and statutory oversight' for promoting health and wellbeing across Warrington and usually meet five, or six, times a year.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill has the worst record, with a 19 per cent attendance rate since June 2014.

However, fellow executive board members who sit on it provide 'feedback' to the leader on significant issues ‘when required’.

Cllr McLaughlin, executive member for public health and wellbeing, has a 100 per cent record since coming onto the board in May 2016.

Cllr Jean Carter, executive member for children's services, has attended 62 per cent of meetings since June 2014, Cllr Ian Marks 86 per cent since May 2016 and Cllr Pat Wright, executive member for statutory health and adult social care, 88 per cent since June 2014.

Cllr Dan Price, executive member for culture and partnerships, only joined it last month, but missed his first meeting.

The council confirmed Mr Keane was appointed to the board in March last year but he, or a representative from his office, is yet to attend.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead, who chairs the board, said: "I, as chairman of the health and wellbeing board, have discussed the diary planning arrangements with the PCC to ensure more regular attendance by the PCC in his busy schedule."

Mr Keane's team has issued a statement in response to the concerns.

An office spokesman said: "The office of the police and crime commissioner (OPCC) has a standing invite to attend all four health and wellbeing boards across Cheshire, including Warrington.

"Due to the large number of meetings the OPCC are invited to, to ensure the best use of public resources, the OPCC reviews the agenda circulated and the commissioner has agreed that where there is an agenda item relevant to policing or crime, that either himself, an appropriate representative from his office or the constabulary will attend.

"Furthermore, the commissioner has recently added new health representatives onto the criminal justice board, which he chairs.

"This board is attended by local authority and health representatives for the county, including Warrington, and provides a forum for key health issues relating to criminal justice to be raised, discussed and addressed.

"This board we feel will have the greatest impact on ensuring health issues are properly addressed through the criminal justice system."