Lucy Trimnell, a Somerset councillor for the Wincanton and Bruton division, has been granted a six-month leave of absence following surgery she has awaited for six years. The division includes the market towns of Wincanton and Bruton along with several small villages near the Dorset and Wiltshire borders.
Ms Trimnell, a prominent Conservative and key member of the party’s shadow cabinet on the council, was admitted to hospital in late August for surgery and discharged in early September. Somerset Council has now approved her leave of absence to enable her full recovery at home, meaning she will not need to attend any meetings in person until the end of February 2027.
Elected in May 2022, Ms Trimnell currently serves as the shadow portfolio holder for adult services, housing, and homelessness. She is also a member of two scrutiny committees and participates in the South East Somerset local community network, which supports community projects in and around Wincanton.
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In the 2024 general election, Ms Trimnell stood as the Conservative candidate for the Frome and East Somerset constituency, finishing second behind Liberal Democrat Anna Sabine.
Speaking about her situation, Ms Trimnell explained, “I have been waiting for six years for this surgery and am really pleased that it has gone well so far. However, this is my third attempt to correct a surgical injury from a decade ago, so it is important that I take the time to heal properly.
“I do not intend to be off for the full six months; I have requested this period to allow flexibility should there be any setbacks. I hope to return to full duties later in the autumn. In the meantime, my duties are being supported by my divisional colleague, Councillor Tom Power, who is monitoring my inbox, and Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, who is handling my opposition portfolio responsibilities.”
According to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, councillors who do not attend any meetings for six consecutive months must normally resign unless granted dispensation by the chief executive. Ms Trimnell is currently one of five councillors on leave from Somerset Council for health reasons. The others are 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, commented: “All necessary parties have been consulted on this proposal under the council’s delegated authority and no objections have been raised.”