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Councillor says he can still do job despite moving 600 miles away
A Northamptonshire County councillor is still representing constituents despite moving nearly 600 miles away
County councillor James Ashton, who represents the Hemmingwell ward in Wellingborough, moved to Basel, in North-West Switzerland, in March.
His move came after his daughter, who lives in Basel, had a baby six weeks premature and Mr Ashton and his wife decided to move over to the country to help out.
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Despite being 598 miles from County Hall, Cllr Ashton has said he is still able to represent the people who voted for him.
He said: "We've rented a flat in Basel for 10 months, from March until Christmas.
"We're spending as much time as we can over here to give our daughter support, but I'm still commuting back to Northamptonshire to attend every council meeting.
"I'm also keeping in regular contact with my constituents, answering my emails and phone calls. It really is business as usual."
Before making his temporary move to Switzerland, Cllr Ashton informed the leaders of his political group, who asked him to remain on the council.
Labour group leader Cllr John McGhee said: "James explained to the group he would be renting a property in Switzerland so he and his wife could support their daughter and her husband in the early months of the life of their first grandchild.
"He gave an undertaking to return for council meetings and with the aid of modern technology is able to keep in touch with colleagues and constituents."
Cllr Ashton is deputy chairman of the council's enterprise scrutiny committee and a member of two other scrutiny panels.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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