THE chairman of Somerset County Council has revealed he may only have a couple of months to live.

Cllr Nigel Taylor announced in February 2021 that he had been diagnosed with cancer prior to the full council meeting held in November 2020.

Cllr Taylor, who has represented the Cheddar division since 2017, told his fellow councillors in February that his disease had since progressed to Stage IV, and he would consider taking a leave of absence.

He has now said a public goodbye to his fellow councillors, stating: “I don’t think I’ll be about in April."

Stage IV cancer - also known as secondary or metastatic cancer - indicates a cancer has spread from its starting point to at least one other body organ.

Cllr Taylor addressed the full council at The Canalside conference venue in Bridgwater on Wednesday morning (February 23) as the council met to set its final annual budget before the elections to the new unitary authority on Thursday, May 5.

He spoke briefly at the start of the meeting, saying the cancer had “spread to the rest of his body”, before his vice-chairman Cllr Peter Clayton conducted some of the initial items on the agenda.

Before the budget-setting item, Cllr Taylor then gave an emotional statement, thanking councillors for their friendship during his time in public office.

He said: “I feel like I’ve joined a family. It doesn’t matter about your politics – each one of you has brought in something valuable.

“I don’t think I’ll be about in April – my surgeons are very tight-lipped.

“Thank you for your understanding, your support and your friendship. Thank you all and goodbye.”

Cllr Taylor was given a round of applause as he left the chamber, taking no further part in the meeting.