Shepway council has voted against a motion that would have forced councillors to resign if they move away from the area.

As it stands, councillors can represent wards in Shepway while living anywhere else in the country.

While the motion was not personal, it is understood to have been inspired by district Conservative Cllr Linda Oliver, of Hythe West ward. She and her husband, town Cllr John Oliver, moved to Bath last year, and continue to represent their ward. They were not present at the meeting.

Shepway’s Liberal Democrats tabled a motion at a meeting of the full council last week saying: “This council resolves that it is impossible for elected members who move very considerable distances away from their area to adequately fulfil the job function.”

Lib Dem Cllr Lynne Beaumont said: “The Tories said there was nothing wrong with it, but I asked if 25 of the councillors moved away would that be okay too?”

Cllr Oliver said: “Naturally I’m pleased about the vote. They [the Conservatives] know the work I am doing and if the Lib Dems could have been bothered to find out, so would they.

“We are in Hythe this week and staying in a hotel at our own expense because we have three meetings there. It is not an issue.

“Most people email or ring me anyway.”

Had Cllr Oliver resigned, a by-election would have followed, and while there is no guarantee the Tories would not win the seat again, Lib Dems in the area say they would still have liked the opportunity to fight for it.

Shepway’s ruling Conservative majority voted the motion down, with one abstention. Only two Tories voted for the move.

Full story in the Kentish Express