A Hamilton city councillor who's been marked absent from council meetings since December has announced that he's taking sick leave.

Terry Whitehead, who represents Ward 14 (west Mountain), said in a statement Friday morning that he's "contended with several personal and family health-related challenges" that have been compounded by the pandemic. Now he's on sick leave for an undetermined period of time.

Whitehead said he's "under doctor's care" and "it is my hope, and with prayer, that my recovery period will be short, and I'll come back stronger and better to champion issues that are important to this community and the residents I represent."

The statement said people should still call his office as they normally would, and that "complex political matters" will be supported by the councillors for Ward 6 (Tom Jackson) and Ward 12 (Lloyd Ferguson).

Whitehead has attended some committee meetings this year, but last attended a council meeting on Dec. 16. Since then, his absence has been marked as "personal" in the meeting minutes.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said council expects to vote Wednesday to formally approve his absences to date and his forthcoming sick leave.

"I don't think there's any concern for constituents or council. I think the concern is for Terry Whitehead," he said, and he "wishes him the best."