Councillor 'must consider position' over attendance

David Maclean has been absent from the first three education committee sessions, its chair said

A newly elected Reform UK councillor will be asked to "consider his position" on an education committee after failing to attend meetings.

Councillor David Maclean has been absent from the first three sessions of the children's services, education and skills committee, its Conservative chair Paul Brading told members on Thursday.

He has attended two out of six meetings since being elected as Lake North's representative in May, according to the Isle of Wight Council's website.

Mr Maclean has been approached for comment.

His Reform UK colleague Caroline Gladwin stepped in for him on Thursday and told the meeting she would likely be "taking over" from him on the committee.

Mr Maclean was not present at the 3 May by-election count or his initiation ceremony at County Hall.

At the time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told by Reform UK's press office his absences were due to a serious illness in the family.

Conservative education committee chair Paul Brading told members on Thursday he was concerned about Mr Mclean's absences

Mr Brading said on Thursday: "I'm conscious Councillor Maclean has not been to our first three meetings.

"It really does concern me because at our first three meetings we shared a lot of background information around the portfolio.

"Going forward we have some real key decisions to make and I'm just wary that without the knowledge we've all picked up from our first three meetings, it may be a problem."

Mr Brading previously said the Island had "too many" primary schools and there would need to be closures.

He told the meeting he would email Mr Maclean "asking him to consider his position".

East Cowes independent representative Karl Love said there were "extremely difficult" and "complex matters" that needed to be resolved by the committee.