A COUNCILLOR has mounted a robust defence after it emerged he is based in Yorkshire - 228 miles away from the residents he represents.

Elliot Mason was elected in last year’s local elections to represent Hawkwell East for the Rochford District Residents party but it has emerged he has been based in Yorkshire for the last three months.

Ian Foster, who is stepping down from his role as councillor for Roche North and Rural at the upcoming elections took fire at Mr Mason as he announced he was leaving the council.

However, Mr Mason has insisted he has “adapted to the long-distance role” after being forced to move for work and travels to Rochford “whenever possible”.

“I’ve been sent to Yorkshire for work, I stay up north and I come back on my days off,” he said.

“I work with flights, and they need the extra heads, they pay quite well and it doesn’t impact me.

“If there is anything pressing in the ward, I always inform someone and I attend the meetings.

“If people contact me to resolve a situation, I act on it and if they don’t it isn’t on me, I won’t go out of my way.

“I won’t be a public face, some like to be public but if people contact me, I resolve the situation.

“It can be difficult to attend everything, I am working a late shift, and meetings are in the evening but not everyone can attend anyway.

“I have missed one full council meeting due to illness. Singling me out is deflecting from their inability and their own standings.”

Mr Mason emphasised that the situation he is in now is no different to when he was based in Crawley last year and he travels down to Rochford on his off days to spend as much time in the ward as possible.

In a statement, Mr Foster said: “One of the Rochford District Residents, Elliot Mason who was elected last year now lives in East Yorkshire but remains a councillor of Rochford District Council, supposedly representing residents in Rochford.

“So, we have an administration of Lib Dems plus various independent Groups. Rochford abandoned, no plans for the Freight House and Mill Hall and financial reserves reduced.”