A councillor is continuing to represent her constituents even though she has moved 166 miles away to Dorset.

Cllr Valerie Ashenden, who represents Westcourt ward in Gravesend, sold her house in The Drove Way, Istead Rise, and relocated to Weymouth in the summer, but will continue to carry out her role as Gravesham councillor until the elections in May 2019, when she will step down.

The Labour Party representative, who first became a councillor in 1997, representing Woodlands ward, and went on to become Gravesham mayor, last attended a committee meeting on Tuesday, October 10 – the only council meeting she has been to since Monday, July 10.

Rules state a councillor is allowed to live outside the borough and remain on the council as long as they attend a meeting once every six months.

Gravesham council’s Labour leader, Cllr John Burden, said: “The important thing is that she is dealing with her cases very well and attending meetings.

“Valerie has always been very good dealing with case work and issues from residents in her ward and she is continuing to do so.

“We have had councillors in the past who have worked in the north of Scotland.

“She took on the role fully understanding that was for the whole four years and she has been honourable in doing that.”

Chief executive of Gravesham council, David Hughes, said: “Cllr Ashenden currently resides in Weymouth, Dorset.

“She continues to represent Westcourt ward, which legally she is entitled to do, and carries out work on behalf of residents by email and telephone.

“She has attended council meetings since her relocation.”

There are two other councillors representing Westcourt ward, Labour’s Cllr Colin Caller and Cllr John Caller.

Cllr Colin Caller said: “She is continuing to take correspondence and dealing with problems in the area.

“She is still continuing to do her role as a councillor so I have no feelings on it. I’m confident she is carrying out her duties and is very efficient.”

Another Gravesham councillor, who lives outside the borough is cabinet member for community development at Gravesham council, Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains, (Con).

She lives on the Isle of Sheppey.

Her party leader, Cllr David Turner, said: “The thing about any councillor is that where they live is not important as long as they keep in touch with people in their ward and the case with Gurjit is that she is a cabinet member and she does her job.

“She won’t be able to stand in the next election unless she lives in Gravesham, owned property in Gravesham or worked in Gravesham.

“It won’t be until the next 16 months where she has to decide what she is doing.”

Cllr Ashenden said in a statement: "I have been a Councillor since 1995 and also mayor of the borough in 2001.

"I can assure you that the residents of Gravesham have always had, and will continue to have their best interests at the centre of my work ethic on their behalf and most especially for those suffering under the pressures being put upon them in the current economic and political climate.

"I am there for them whether in Gravesham or with my extended family in Greenhithe or Bexleyheath where I stay when I am in Kent to meet in person residents when required to attend meetings, or in Dorset where I currently live and have made my home."