howard mcsweeney1 wrote: I can only think that as the councillor in question is on long term sick leave
There is no 'sick leave' for councillors.
If you fail to attend any meetings for six months, you will automatically cease to be a councillor unless the council approved your reason for absence before the end of the six month period.
In this particular case were he not to turn up at the end of the six months he would cease to be a councillor but, since it is beyond the 'cut off date' to call an election, the ward would just end up being represented by two councillors until the May elections.