Green Norwich councillor under fire for missing meetings

Ben Price, who represents the Greens on Norwich City Council, had missed 13 of the meetings since last attending one in September 2024, while still claiming his allowance.

His lack of attendance was highlighted amid wider scrutiny of his party's low turnout, with the Greens accounting for 64pc of the absences at the council in the last year.

Norwich City Hall (Image: Mike Page)

At a recent cabinet meeting, Carli Harper, a senior Labour councillor, said: "It has been more than 470 days since one of their number has turned up to full council while still claiming full allowance, while still turning up to meetings at another council body in Norfolk. I think that is unacceptable."

Mr Price's basic allowance is £7,805, with a further £1,950 for serving on the audit committee. He has continued to claim both.

Nine days after being singled out by Ms Harper, however, Mr Price turned up at the full council meeting held on Tuesday, his first one for a year and three months.

Carli Harper, cabinet member for major projects (Image: Labour)

He claimed his absences had been down to mental health problems.

The councillor also sits on Norfolk County Council, where his attendance record has been significantly better. He has been to seven out of nine full county council meetings in the last year.

And while he did not attend any full Norwich City Council meetings between October 2024 and this week, he did go to all meetings of the authority's audit committee in the last year.

Green councillor Ben Price (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Mr Price said his poor attendance record followed "a number of personal setbacks".

"In 2024, I had a deterioration in my mental health after suffering a number of personal setbacks," he said.

"This resulted in me suffering from depression and anxiety, which I sought therapy for.

"I had a short break away from councillor duties and both my colleagues and the council helped support me through this difficult time.

"I have slowly returned to full duties, which culminated with my return to council on Tuesday. I now feel back to my old self.

"Throughout my personal and private battle, I have continued to work to the best of my capabilities on behalf of the people of Thorpe Hamlet, and no residents have raised this as an issue.

"I'd like to thank everyone in the Green Party, at both councils, and also local residents, who have stood by me and supported me during this difficult time."

The councillor has not breached any attendance rules during this period.