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Concern over councillor spending months in Philippines Concern over councillor spending months in Philippines
(35 minutes later)
A north Devon councillor claims he has "not broken any rules" by spending months in the Philippines visiting his new wife. A Devon councillor claims he has "not broken any rules" by spending months in the Philippines visiting his new wife.
Liberal Democrat councillor Colin Payne admitted he had spent five months out of the UK on a number of trips since being re-elected in May 2011.Liberal Democrat councillor Colin Payne admitted he had spent five months out of the UK on a number of trips since being re-elected in May 2011.
Liberal Democrats in Barnstaple's Yeo Valley ward have filed a motion against him.Liberal Democrats in Barnstaple's Yeo Valley ward have filed a motion against him.
Mr Payne said: "I don't stop working when I'm there."Mr Payne said: "I don't stop working when I'm there."
Presence 'missed'Presence 'missed'
Chairman of the council Lib Dem Geoff Fowler said there had been "concerns all round". Chairman of North Devon Council, Lib Dem Geoff Fowler, said there had been "concerns all round".
He said: "Mr Payne contributes quite a lot to the day to day running of the council and his presence has been missed.He said: "Mr Payne contributes quite a lot to the day to day running of the council and his presence has been missed.
"Although we have some sympathy for the fact he has family interests abroad, it's getting to the point where we feel that Colin needs to make up his mind and think to the future.""Although we have some sympathy for the fact he has family interests abroad, it's getting to the point where we feel that Colin needs to make up his mind and think to the future."
Mr Payne collected £10,945 in allowances from April 2011 to March 2013, according to council figures. and attended seven of the 16 full council meetings between 19 May 2011 and 3 April 2013. Mr Payne collected £10,945 in allowances from April 2011 to March 2013, according to council figures, and attended seven of the 16 full council meetings between 19 May 2011 and 3 April 2013.
Mr Payne said: "I was in the Philippines in December and January because I spent Christmas with my wife. I dealt with a planning appeal during that period of time and actually won it.Mr Payne said: "I was in the Philippines in December and January because I spent Christmas with my wife. I dealt with a planning appeal during that period of time and actually won it.
"It wasn't a point where I stopped work. Just because you don't attend a particular meeting on a given day doesn't mean to say you stop work because the majority of work you do as a councillor continues."It wasn't a point where I stopped work. Just because you don't attend a particular meeting on a given day doesn't mean to say you stop work because the majority of work you do as a councillor continues.
"If I had of broken the rules I would have been disbarred, but I haven't. I haven't broken any rules." "If I had have broken the rules I would have been disbarred, but I haven't. I haven't broken any rules."
Councillor Lesley Brown, who is the other Lib Dem ward member for Yeo Valley, declined to comment.Councillor Lesley Brown, who is the other Lib Dem ward member for Yeo Valley, declined to comment.