PROPOSALS to name and shame councillors who don't attend meetings were voted down by Test Valley council.

One of the most vehement protesters against the idea was Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, who was criticised by fellow councillors in February for her poor attendance record.

At a full meeting of the council, members were asked to approve the move as part of a list of recommendations to improve "accountability".

A report by the head of administration recommended "that a table be drawn together, setting out the number of possible attendances at meetings for each member compared with actual attendance".

It was also recommended that the table should include a number of headings to indicate that if a member was not at a meeting, whether they were on leave or undertaking other council business.

The report also recommended "that the lists of attendances and of allowances received be published annually in the local press".

Members conceded it was a legal requirement to publish allowances, but argued over the idea of publishing meeting attendance records.

Sandra Gidley, who was criticised for - at the time - having only attended five meetings in just under two years, said: "It seems fatuous to me that we simply record council meetings if you are not going to record fairly all the other aspects of councillors' work."

Councillor Mark Cooper agreed: "Measuring just committee attendance is the wrong measure - it's an unfair measure and unless we can do it fairly I suggest we don't do it at all."

But Councillor Caroline Nokes, who highlighted Mrs Gidley's attendance record, said: "I can't quite believe members are about to support our lack of accountability and that our attendances should be hidden from the public."

Councillor Alan Dowden accused the council of coming up with the idea simply because of "tittle-tattle" over Mrs Gidley.

He said: "All this has come about because of a lot of political mischief-making using the press.

"I have an excellent attendance record on this council, Hampshire County Council and North Baddesley Parish Council but because people come to meetings, it means nothing.

"It's what they do in the community - that's what matters."

Councillor Martin Hatley denied the recommendations had anything to do with the uproar over Mrs Gidley, as they were drawn up following a meeting in January.

After almost an hour of debate, the council voted against both recommendations.