Conservatives Abandon Hythe West Residents

1.58.49pm GMT Tue 4th Dec 2007

A Shepway Council publication has confirmed that Shepway District Councillor Linda Oliver is no longer living in Hythe - but is STILL staying on as a Councillor for Hythe West! The update to the Council's "Year Book" on 3rd December confirms that as of 6th December, all correspondence for Cllr Oliver should now be sent to the Civic Centre in Folkestone.

A recent report in the "Herald" is that the Olivers are being pressured not to resign by the Shepway Conservative Party - despite their moving HUNDREDS of miles away to Somerset. The Oliver's, who are also both Hythe Town Councillors had committed to standing down when they moved - but there are no signs of a resignation yet.

The amendment entry reads:

"Cllr Mrs Linda Oliver change of address and telephone number as from 6th December 2007

Delete:

77A North Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 5DY Tel: 01303 261750

Insert:

C/O Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY"

In a statement issued in November on the Shepway Conservatives web site (http://tinyurl.com/ysf94s), John Oliver said:

'We shall both be doing our very best to continue to do all we can for our ward constituents until we move.'

In the same press release, Folkestone & Hythe Conservative Agent, Gordon Williams, said:

"When they can no longer fulfil their elected role in the community we will call a by-election."

Liberal Democrat campaigner and ex-Mayor of Hythe Neil Matthews commented:

"We understand that people's lives change. Despite standing for Council in May, by November Linda and John Oliver's circumstances have changed and they have decided to move across the country to Bath. We wish them both well in their new life in Somerset.

"However, clearly you cannot live in Bath and properly represent Hythe. If Shepway Conservatives really have asked the Olivers not to resign until the New Year, that's disgraceful."

Hythe campaigner Darren Briddock added:

"If the Olivers have moved, they should resign - it's as simple as that."

"Hythe West and Palmarsh needs Councillors to stand up for the area - especially now. There are key decisions coming up on Lydd Airport expansion, Nickolls Quarry and the threat to Shepway's Fire Services.

"Hythe West and Palmarsh residents need Councillors who can speak up on the big issues. We need Councillors who can put the case for Hythe West. That's what we believe Hythe West deserves, but it would seem Shepway's Conservatives just don't care."