A councillor has maintained she will continue to serve residents – despite being more than 3,000 miles away in Africa.

Alex Phillips, who represents Goldsmid ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, says she will not claim any of her annual £11,463 allowance for the two months she is in Cameroon.

The Green politician, who was elected as a councillor in 2009, maintained she will keep in contact with residents over email but will not be available to attend meetings while she is away.

Coun Phillips, who at 26 is the youngest council member, said: “I’m away from Brighton and Hove for two months as part of my PGCE teacher training course.

“During this period I will not take any councillor allowances and have made arrangements with my fellow Goldsmid ward councillors, who will kindly handle any constituent work which needs to be done in person.

“I will remain in touch by email. I have also informed several leading community organisations in the area, including one of the co-chairs of the Goldsmid Local Action Team and the chair of governors at Somerhill Junior School, and everyone has been supportive.

“I don’t have any cabinet responsibilities and, like most councillors, am not full-time.

“Sometimes it’s tough for young people to juggle public service with their career development and training, and completing my PGCE with a study of teaching in a different culture is vital to my career.

“However, I am really looking forward to resuming all of my duties back in Brighton and Hove in May.”

But Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said: “If her ward is anything like my area it will be extremely busy.

“She can’t do everything over email. Sometimes we must visit people in their homes.

“I feel she should be there for her residents.

“She chose to be a councillor. If she doesn’t want to do it then she must step down.

“You can only do one job properly. What about resident meetings, surgeries and full council meetings?”

Coun Phillips was first elected three years ago in a by-election.

Any resident with issues during this time is advised to contact Rob Jarrett on 01273 291148 or rob.jarrett@brighton-hove.gov.uk, or Ruth Buckley on 01273 291136 or ruth.buckley@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

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