A councillor who kissed a 16-year-old in a “moment of utter madness” has been given a 12 month conditional discharge. Former deputy leader of Solihull Council Ian Hillas, 43, said the kiss at the end of a birthday party had ruined his life and his reputation. Judge Michael Challinor told Hillas he must pay costs of £2,151 and must register as a sex offender for a year.
A councillor in Rochford plans to reinvent the way housing planning is decided by using social networking sites. Conservative councillor James Cottis believes that consultations with the public over issues of planning permission should utilise sites like Facebook and Twitter. He said: “It is a great way to connect and get people’s ideas.”
A councillor from the Highlands is under increasing pressure to step down after criticising the amount spent on teaching Gaelic in Scottish schools. Councillor Deirdre Mackay’s had previously stated that she felt the council’s spending on Gaelic education and road signs could be used more effectively, provoking anger within the local community, with several residents calling for her to stand aside.
A councillor in Croydon who currently occupies three public sector jobs has been asked to step down from one. Councillor Steve O’Connell is a member of the Greater London assembly (GLA), a Croydon city councillor and sits on the board of the Metropolitan Police Authority. At a council meeting on Monday another councillor called on him to step down from the council.