A COUNCILLOR is thought to be claiming more than £5,500 a year in allowances despite not turning up to council meetings for the past three months, moving out of the area and not allowing her contact details to be made public.

Whiteley Conservative councillor Caroline Watts, pictured above, stands accused of failing to properly represent the electorate in the village and is now under pressure to stand down.

Residents say they feel let down by the councillor, who has been in the job since 2003, after she moved away from Whiteley and did not publicly provide a telephone number.

The Winchester City Council website has no current number, making it difficult for her 2,000 constituents to contact her.

All queries are being directed to group leader Councillor Barry Lipscomb, who said the problem will be "resolved shortly".

Parish council chairman Pat Wright said: "Both of our councillors live outside Whiteley. People have tried to get hold of Caroline Watts, but I don't know anyone who has managed.

"If you wanted to take a problem to your councillor and she's not there, it's not easy to get a fast resolution of whatever your problem is.

"We feel short-changed as she is still getting her council allowance."

Councillor Watts was also ousted from Whiteley Parish Council after she failed to attend six months worth of meetings.

She has not attended a Winchester City Council meeting since November, but is still eligible to receive thousands of pounds in allowances.

A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: "I think she is claiming it, she is entitled to because she has been to one meeting."

Former Whiteley councillor and resident Brenda Hatch raised the issue at the city council's cabinet meeting, she said: "Whiteley is not being properly represented. Her phone number is not on the website.

"Whiteley has problems. We need both councillors busy. Ms Watts should be more active than she appears to be."

Despite repeated attempts by the Daily Echo to contact Mrs Watts we have only been able to spk to her Conservative colleagues who say the complaint is politically motivated and Whiteley is being well looked after.

Councillor Lipscomb, who represents Wonston and Micheldever wards, said: "She had to move away from the district and since then her council duties have been very ably taken on board. The people of Whiteley have not been disadvantaged.

"But I expect a resolution to this problem very shortly."

Councillor Watts, who has been elected until 2007, is now expected to resign so an election can take place at the same time as the county council elections in May.

All her committee duties have been passed over to other councillors.

Conservative colleague Councillor Kate Chapman, who has herself also moved out of the area, added: "I got married three weeks ago and moved home, but I have been in Whiteley regularly.

"Caroline has moved on, which people do. Life goes on. In the meantime, Whiteley is being looked after whether we live on the patch or not. We represent people there extremely well."

The Daily Echo was unable to contact Mrs Watts for comment.