Linda Doesn't Live Here, Any More

Councillors in Shepway have reacted with astonishment at the news that the official magazine of Shepway District Council, "Shepway Today", has given the address of Cllr Linda Oliver, as North Road, Hythe, when she now lives in Bath.

The fact that Cllr Oliver has moved 186 miles away from Shepway, and yet claims to be able to represent the people of Hythe, has been the subject of huge media focus. Shepway Council issued an internal update to their year book in December last year deleting Linda Oliver's North Road address - over 3 months before the publication of the Spring 2008 edition of the Council magazine "Shepway Today".

Cllr Lynne Beaumont, who leads the Liberal Democrats on Shepway District Council said:

"It is common knowledge at the council, and across the district, that Cllr Oliver has moved to Bath. I will be demanding an explanation as to why Shepway Today lists a local address for the absentee councillor. Is this the Conservative cabinet trying to deceive local people?

"The bottom line is that Cllr Oliver and her Conservative Party, who tolerate and even condone her absence, are letting down the people of Hythe."

Neil Matthews, former Mayor of Hythe said:

"Local people are angry that Cllr Oliver is abusing the system in this way. They find her claims that she can represent them from Bath, quite frankly, laughable. Both Cllr Oliver, and her husband who sits on Hythe Town Council, should resign immediately."