Ex-council leader struggling with mental illness

WALSALL Council has agreed to extend a former Labour group leader’s leave of absence to the end of the council year.

Sean Coughlan – who has represented Willenhall South since 1995 – has not attended meetings since February – due to mental health problems he has been suffering, which left his wife feeling guilty for not spotting the problem sooner.

His illness resulted in him stepping down as Labour group leader in April and replaced by Councillor Aftab Nawaz, following May’s elections. A full council meeting on Monday approved recommendations to extend his leave from meetings until May next year – when his term of office comes to an end.

In the Local Government Act 1972, a councillor ceases to be an elected member if he or she fails to attend any local authority meeting for six months. Had the recommendations, set out in a report to the committee, not been approved, Councillor Coughlan would have stopped being an elected member in August.

Councillor Nawaz said: “Mental health is a major issue and we have a a lot of sympathy for Sean.

“He’s given a huge amount of service, not only to the Labour party but to the council for more than 20 years.”

“People don’t realise how pressurised how public life can be, so giving him this time is the right thing to do.”

During his 24-year stint on the local authority, Councillor Coughlan has served as leader and deputy leader.

When news of his illness emerged, his wife and fellow Willenhall South councillor, Diane Coughlan, said she felt guilty over his illness.

“It is clear from his doctor that this has not happened overnight and that he has been suffering for a long time.

“I feel guilty that I have not realised the full extent of his illness.”