Karl Busch, councillor for Cullompton North, runs the events every Monday at St John’s Parish Hall and has now been criticised by a colleague who says she has been overwhelmed by work because of his absence.
Speaking to BBC Devon, Nikki Woollatt, a councillor in the same district, said: ‘I kind of feel that the council taxpayer has been subsidising him while he pursues other projects.
‘He’s drawing an [council] allowance, but not putting in the effort.’
Mr Busch has claimed around £8,600 in allowances since March, but has met his legal requirement of attending at least one meeting every six months.
The 54-year-old added that he believed his constituents had received value for money, but admitted that he had let his tea dancing get in the way of his councillor duties.
He said: ‘The work I’m doing directly benefits mid-Devon and my legacy is that my ward will benefit from my work for years to come.
‘I will not be standing again in the next election, but I’m proud of the work that I’m achieving.’
Mr Busch’s events are run as a not-for-profit social-inclusion project.
