Councillor forced to resign

Joy Francis was not qualified to stand for election in Telford

A Telford and Wrekin councillor has resigned from her post after it emerged she was already a council employee when she was elected.

Joy Francis, who has represented the Ketley and Oakengates ward since May's local elections, was on the authority's payroll as a result of her work with the Early Years Partnership.

It is forbidden for people who already work for a council to then become elected to it.

The Conservative councillor handed in her resignation on Monday morning and a by-election will be held later in the summer.

1972 legislation

A council spokeswoman said that Ms Francis was disqualified from being elected to the council by the Local Government Act 1972.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association told BBC News Online that the various offshoots of local government that have sprung up over recent years can make it difficult for people to know exactly who employs them.

It is thought this could explain what caused Ms Francis to stand for a job she was already disqualified from taking.

She has also resigned her employment with the authority.