A Somerset councillor has been granted a six-month leave of absence after undergoing surgery she had waited six years to receive. Councillor Lucy Trimnell, one of the Conservative representatives for the Wincanton and Bruton division, had been admitted to hospital in late August for surgery and was discharged in early September. The division she represents covers the two market towns and several smaller villages near the borders with Dorset and Wiltshire.
Ms Trimnell is a prominent member of the Conservative shadow cabinet at Somerset Council and holds the shadow portfolio for adult services, housing, and homelessness. She also serves on two scrutiny committees and is active in the South East Somerset local community network, which facilitates community projects in and around Wincanton.
Since her election in May 2022, she has been a dedicated councillor and recently stood as the Conservative candidate for the Frome and East Somerset constituency in the 2024 general election, where she finished second to the Liberal Democrat winner Anna Sabine.
Commenting on her health, Ms Trimnell said, “I have been waiting for six years for this surgery and am really pleased that it has gone well so far. This is my third operation to address a surgical injury from a decade ago, so I need to ensure I take adequate time to heal fully.” She added that she hopes to return to full duties before the end of autumn but has been granted six months of leave as a precaution.
During her absence, her divisional colleague Councillor Tom Power will monitor her correspondence, while Councillor Diogo Rodrigues will manage her opposition portfolio responsibilities.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, councillors who do not attend any meetings for six consecutive months must vacate their seats unless granted dispensation by the council’s chief executive. Ms Trimnell’s leave of absence has been approved under this provision.
She joins four other councillors currently on health-related leave from Somerset Council: Suria Aujla (Conservative, Huntspill), Jo Roundell Greene (Liberal Democrat, South Petherton and Islemoor), Gill Slocombe (Conservative, Bridgwater West), and Rosemary Woods (Conservative, Watchet and Stogursey).
Alyn Jones, the council’s monitoring officer, confirmed that “all necessary parties have been consulted on this proposal as required under the council’s delegated authority and no objections have been raised.”