Council row over 180-mile move

Ms Oliver said she knew all the issues affecting Hythe

A Kent councillor who has moved 180 miles outside her elected ward has insisted that she can still do her job.

Linda Oliver, of Shepway District Council recently moved from Hythe to Bath in Somerset for family reasons.

Her political opponents have called for her resignation, saying she cannot fully represent Hythe West residents.

But the Tory councillor said lots of people commuted to work and it was only a two-and-a-half hour trip to her ward.

"Most people in this modern age live a long way from where they work," Ms Oliver said.

'Be honourable'

"I know all the issues in Hythe and I'm still working closely with my colleagues. We do work as a team so I haven't got a problem with it.

"The time to resign is the time when I can't do my job. We're elected to represent the residents and I'm still doing that."

She is required to attend two council meetings a year to keep her seat on Shepway council.

Ms Oliver gets a £260 allowance each month but said she would pay for travel costs to Hythe out of her own pocket.

Lib Dem councillor Tim Prater said: "It's a question of honour at this stage. If she's going to be honourable about this she should understand that she lives in Bath.

"The Conservative Party should understand that she has moved to Bath and should be asking her to resign."