QUESTIONS have been raised over the commitment of a Darwen councillor.

Andrew Graham, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward on Blackburn with Darwen council for the For Darwen Party, has been accused of ‘doing nothing’ by other borough councillors.

In the council year 2010/2011, from May 2010 to May 2011, he attended two of the seven meeting groups he was scheduled for.

Coun Graham said he was fully committed, but he admitted missing meetings because of his job as a paramedic.

Sudell councillor Roy Davies said: “There are lots of us who joke that the only way you can get hold of Andrew is to call for an ambulance.

"He comes to the town hall when he has to, to meet the minimum requirements, but he does absolutely nothing.

“There are jobs allocated to members of each party to fulfil.

"The For Darwen Party are very good at taking the paid jobs on committees, but I’d like to know how many unpaid jobs he does.”

Coun Graham was elected in 2008 and his term will come to an end next year.

Last year he had zero per cent attendance for the standards committee and annual council, 14 per cent for the children in our care committee, 60 per cent for the council forum and 67 per cent for extraordinary council meetings.

He fully attended policy council meetings and finance council.

In the past year his allowance was £5,992.

Coun Graham said: “I do carry out voluntary work and I’m always available for my community.

“I have helped residents with ongoing problems they have.

“I do hold my hand up that I’ve not attended all meetings, but I work for the NHS ambulance service, and it’s a 24-hour operation, though work are very good at not putting me on the rota when I have mentioned council duties.”

For Darwen Party colleague Coun Steve Potter said of Coun Davies: “It’s just another cheap shot from him about the For Darwen Party.

“Coun Davies has time to go to all meetings as he does not work.

"Andrew does a very worthwhile job, as well as his council work, and should be praised not slated.”