Rob Humby granted extended leave of absence to care for family members

Cllr Rob Humby, who represents Bishop's Waltham for the Conservative party, has been granted leave until December 14.

The ex-leader stepped down from the top role in May and was replaced by Cllr Nick Adams-King. 

In a report to the county council's conduct advisory panel on Friday, July 26, it said that Cllr Humby hadn't attended a meeting since March 14. This means his six-month non-attendance limit would expire on September 14, hence the need for the extension. 

READ MORE: Hampshire County Council leader Rob Humby to stand down

The report said: “Cllr Humby has recently had increased caring responsibilities for his elderly aunt who resides with him and his wife. Coupled with that he also now has significant additional caring responsibilities for his elderly father and mother, he lives closest to them with his siblings being some distance away. 

“The caring needs of all three relatives require Cllr Humby to be available for urgent response to support them on a daily basis which significantly affects his ability to attend meetings without risk of impact on his vulnerable relatives. He is in the process of putting in place appropriate care arrangement through private provision although it takes time to secure the appropriate care and for that to bed in.”

It added: “This has resulted in him being unable to attend a meeting of the county council, its committees, outside bodies or joint committees to which he was appointed since he attended the leader and executive member for Hampshire 2050 and corporate services decision day on March 14 2024. His six-month non-attendance limit as set out in the act will therefore expire on September 14 2024. 

“It is requested that the conduct advisory panel grant Cllr Humby a leave of absence until December 14 2024.”

The county council has confirmed that Cllr Humby was granted the leave of absence by the conduct advisory panel.