A BOURNEMOUTH councillor who has only attended one meeting in the past eight months will resign today.

Cllr Rachel Palma's decision to stand down means there will be a by-election in the ward of Kinson North during September.

Cllr Palma was the council's youngest member when she was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in 2003 and she was appointed to the cabinet to champion the interests of children and young people.

She resigned from her £14,526 cabinet post in April, after failing to attend a meeting for four months.

But her elusive behaviour continued to prompt concerns from other councillors, who questioned why she was still claiming a basic council salary of more than £7,000 a year.

She sparked further controversy when she was spotted alongside Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy on television during the general election campaign.

Under council rules, councillors are automatically disqualified if they go six months without attending a meeting.

But just before six months were up, Cllr Palma avoided disqualification by attending a scrutiny and review panel.

In a letter to her Kinson constituents, Cllr Palma said: "My career, and that of Dean, my husband, means we have to move out of the area.

"This combined with some ill-health I had earlier this year has forced a re-think. I've come to the conclusion I need to stand down as a councillor for Kinson North.

"Others have already started twisting the facts to suit their own political motives. This is why I'm writing directly to you as a local resident, so that you know exactly why I'm resigning."

Council leader Cllr Richard Smith said: "We're all sad that Rachel has had to make this decision as she had made a great contribution to the work of the council, particularly on behalf of children and young people.

"I know that stepping down from the council has been a difficult decision for Rachel but it is one that we can all fully understand. On behalf of all councillors I wish her well with her future career."

First published: August 15