Councillor loses her seat for not attending meetings for six months

Thursday, 30 October 2025 10:26

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A former Tory councillor who lost her seat has explained why she did not attend council meetings for six months.

Kate Knight spoke to Beyond Radio after it was announced that her seat in Bare ward, Morecambe, was now vacant.

A Lancaster City Council spokesperson said: "Kate Knight did not attend meetings for six months and so her term ended.

"According to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, any member who fails to attend council meetings for a period of six consecutive months - without approved absence - automatically vacates their seat."

We asked Ms Knight for comment, and she said: "Unfortunately, in the last 12 months I've had a massive change in personal circumstances which has made it almost impossible to attend meetings.

"I've really enjoyed my time as a councillor and wish all involved the best for the future in carrying on the good work they do."

She was elected as a Conservative in Bare at the 2023 local elections.

The other ward councillors for Bare, on Lancaster City Council, are Liberal Democrat Gerry Blaikie and Martin Bottoms, a Morecambe Bay Independent.

The Greens are the largest group on the council, with 23 members. Labour have 20, the Lib Dems have seven, the Conservatives now have four, and there are three Morecambe Bay Independents, two independents, and one non-aligned independent.

A notice of casual vacancy has been published for the vacant seat.

On receipt of a notice signed by two local government electors of the local authority area requesting that the vacancy be filled by an election, the Returning Officer will fix a date on which a by-election will be held.

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