Reform councillor in Northumberland faces calls to quit after sending just two emails in six months
A Reform councillor in Northumberland is facing calls to step down after data showed he had sent just two emails since he was elected in May.
Cramlington South West councillor Shaun Knowles has also attended just two meetings in that time.
A Freedom of Information Request submitted by Conservative councillor Wayne Daley and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed Coun Knowles received 948 emails to his county councillor email address between May 2025 and the submission of the request.
The data also showed Coun Knowles has been paid £9,340.67 for his role as a councillor since May.
Councillors in Northumberland are paid a basic allowance of £17,920 a year in order to carry out their duties. Since May, Coun Knowles has attended two meetings of the county council on May 21 and November 5.
Councillors who do not attend any formal meetings for six consecutive months face losing their seat.
Coun Daley, who represents the nearby Cramlington North ward, called on Coun Knowles to resign.
He said: “It is extremely disappointing. It does no politician any good when the public are ignored.
“Cramlington councillors have been contacted by residents complaining. We have two Conservative town councillors in that area who have been doing casework, including getting the county council to agree to fund the community park, restore the subways and organising police liaison meetings.
“To be elected and to have people put faith in you is one of the greatest community honours you can have. He should stand down with immediate effect.”
Coun Knowles won the new seat of Cramlington South West with a majority of 74 over Labour. Conservative candidate Neil Graham came third, but was elected to Cramlington Town Council.
Coun Graham felt Coun Knowles was being disrespectful to voters and said he and others had been working to serve the residents of the ward. Unlike county councillors, town councillors are unpaid.
He said: “Coun Knowles has been anything but active. There’s been quite few things within the ward that we have had to take forward.
“It’s an insult to the people of the ward. People are paying quite a bit in council tax and you want to see something come back for that.
“It’s a slap in the face for taxpayers. It’s not the message people want to see right now.
“There’s been plenty of things I have been reaching out to council officers for. The last thing I want to see is things falling down.
“We have been able to keep things moving so far – county council officers have been very helpful and understanding. We’re just trying to push things forward and do the right thing.”
Northumberland Reform UK declined to comment on Coun Knowles or the criticism from Coun Daley and Coun Graham. Coun Knowles did not respond when contacted for comment.