Hounslow Council has waived the six-month attendance rule for Councillors Jagdish Sharma, Richard Foote, and Afzaal Kiani, who have been unable to attend council meetings since 22 July 2025 due to reasons relating to ill health, wellbeing, and family concerns. The specific nature of these concerns has not been disclosed.

The decision was made at a Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, following a report presented by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council.

The report noted that Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 requires councillors to attend at least one meeting within a six-month period to avoid disqualification. However, this requirement can be waived if the absence is due to a reason approved by the council before the six-month period expires. The council has agreed to waive the six month rule on a number of occasions in the past due to the ongoing ill health of the member in question, according to the Councillor Non Attendance Six Month Rule Waiver Report November 2025.

Councillor Rajawat's report asked the council to:

  • Note that Councillors Sharma, Foote, and Kiani have been unable to attend meetings since 22 July 2025 due to ill health, wellbeing, and family concerns.
  • Agree to waive the six-month rule for these absences.
  • Agree that their future non-attendance be authorised for a period up to the date of retirement for councillors following the municipal elections on 7 May 2026, should their health, wellbeing, and family concerns persist. This suggests that if their health improves before then, they would be expected to resume attending council meetings.

The report stated that the Council is legally entitled to take this action before the expiry of the six month period.

Without the waiver, the councillors' seats would become vacant on 23 January 2026, but no by-elections would be triggered due to the proximity of the municipal elections in May 2026.

The council agreed to waive the rule, allowing Councillors Sharma, Foote, and Kiani to remain in office until the May 2026 elections, should their circumstances prevent them from attending meetings. The report noted that there would be no democratic deficit, as there are two other active ward councillors in each of their respective council wards.

The report also stated that there were no identified risks or financial implications related to this decision.