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CRITICISED: Alex Adams

A CONTROVERSIAL Bournemouth councillor has resigned - just weeks after residents were assured he was committed to the council.

Cllr Alex Adams, who has represented the Charminster and Queens Park ward for just 11 months, was said to be struggling to combine his civic duties with his day job as a property developer and children's nursery owner.

His Conservative colleague Cllr Sue Cowley, who was elected to represent Winton East, has also resigned from the council.

The council is now organising two by-elections for Thursday, May 1 and they will be the first test of the new Tory administration since the party's landslide election win last May.

Alex Adams' short reign as a councillor was shrouded in controversy from the start.

Shortly after he was elected, he faced allegations of misleading voters by standing on an anti-development platform and failing to fully disclose the fact he was a developer with links to a controversial planning application in Charminster.

He attracted criticism again when it emerged he was attending very few council meetings and could not be contacted by email.

Between May 3, 2007 and January 31, 2008, he attended just 11 meetings and at one stage, he went for four months without turning up at the town hall.

Council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, who just six weeks ago said Alex was committed to local politics, said: "Following my discussions with him about his changing situation and his future as a councillor, he has decided to do the honourable thing by standing down.

"Given the circumstances, I accept and respect his decision."

On Sue's decision, Cllr MacLoughlin said she would be a "hard act to follow."

She was elected along with her husband Dr Nigel Cowley and has pledged to support him in his council work.

"Our daughters are taking their GCSEs and A levels this year and my elderly father also needs my support," she said.

"I've really enjoyed my time on the council but my first duty is to my family."

Between May 3, 2007 and January 31, 2008, Sue attended 24 council meetings.

7:00pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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