THE lack of representation for residents in a Pembroke council ward will be discussed in private next week with its elected member – who faces historic sex offence charges - failing to have made a public appearance since being voted in.

Full Council will vote on entering into private session to discuss the position of Cllr David Boswell of Pembroke St Mary North.

The discussion will centre on sections 85 and 86 of the Local Government Act which stipulate that if members fail to attend meetings – including committees and sub-committees - within six months unless approved they will cease to be a member.

This will then be followed by a declaration of an empty seat.

Cllr Boswell, who has stood aside from his role as mayor of Pembroke, is facing trial accused of historic sex offences.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court in October last year.

He denied a single allegation of the rape of a girl aged under 13.

He also denied five allegations of indecently assaulting her, and two charges of indecently assaulting a different girl when she was aged under 16.

All the offences are said to have been committed between February 1991 and February 1994.

Questions about his position as a councillor and non-attendance at meetings, and the impact that has on constituents, had been raised recently by other members, including Cllr Jacob Williams.

Full council will discuss the matter on March 8.

At the same meeting Cllr Williams had tabled a question relating to meetings.

It states: "It has recently been claimed by senior council officers that ad hoc, behind-closed-doors councillors-only seminars constitute a “meeting of the authority.”

"Please could the leader explain the legal and constitutional basis for seminars?" and "Why this means that the many rules which must apply to every “meeting of the authority” – such as members being summoned to attend, minutes being taken, the welcoming of the public and press – either don't apply, or have never been followed?"