THE woman in charge of overseeing the handout of millions of pounds in community grants has resigned.

Sue Fletcher, chairman of the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board since November 2002, quit the job after claiming she was "being continually undermined".

She told a stunned meeting: "After some months I have had enough. Sometimes I think that it is forgotten that we are volunteers and are willingly giving our time to represent the community.

"I am resigning from the position of chairman of Outer Shirley Regeneration. I will continue to take my seat on the board but I feel that the position of chairman is being continually undermined.

"I am sorry to say that I am, rightly or wrongly, getting the feeling that in some quarters empowering the community is all right as long as it fits in with the agenda. I am not willing to be a puppet of that agenda."

It is thought Ms Fletcher, of Warren Avenue, Shirley Warren, ran into conflict with the grant programme managers after they accused her of acting beyond her remit.

"I have never exceeded the perimeters of the constitution in my role as chairman," she told board members. "I have never, at any time, authorised anyone to spend money."

Ms Fletcher, who quit the top job six months short of her two-year term, refused to comment further about her shock decision.

Don Thomas, a community representative on the board, said: "The whole thing is an outrage. Why it's been allowed to go this far is absolutely staggering.

"Sue's activities in the community speak for themselves - she's conscientious, dedicated and, in my opinion, has done a first-rate job."

A spokesman for Southampton City Council, responsible for the project, said: "We thank Sue for her work, particularly for the time and commitment she invested into the role.

"To help prevent future difficulties, a protocol clearly outlining the different roles has been drawn up by the City Council. This has been written in line with government guidelines.

"This protocol has been adopted by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board by a significant majority."

The Outer Shirley Regeneration programme, set up in 2000, has handed out more than £12m to community groups in Millbrook, Redbridge, Shirley Warren and Coxford.