STAY-AWAY councillor Wendy Harbon has missed her final chance to cling to her city council seat.

The controversial politician failed to attend last night's Darley Neighbourhood Forum meeting – meaning she has not attended a single council meeting this year.

All councillors must attend at least one council-related meeting every six months to keep their seat.

She is now set to lose her £9,380 yearly members' allowance and a by-election will have to be held once her seat is officially declared vacant.

Miss Harbon has been living in Blackpool – 120 miles from Derby – since she was evicted from her Kedleston Road home in April for not paying rent.

She has failed to attend council meetings or respond to countless e-mails and calls from the Evening Telegraph – despite saying she could adequately represent the people of Darley from Blackpool.

Last night, her chair at the front of the hall in Landau Forte college's presentation suite remained empty.

Once the council has double-checked her attendance at meetings, a notice of a vacancy will be posted and a by-election can then be called for by voters.

It means an election could be held in Darley ward as soon as late July.

The news was welcomed last night.

Peter Asnem, 45, from the Five Lamps area of Darley ward, said: “I think it was wholly inappropriate for her to supposedly represent the community when she never came to a meeting to answer her constituents' questions. I think it will be good to have a by-election and get somebody who will take up that role properly.”

Lynne Halford, of Kingston Street, agreed.

She said: “I think it is imperative we have a by-election because these forum meetings are disadvantaged by not having three councillors on them.”

The chairman of the meeting, Labour councillor Martin Repton, said Miss Harbon's failure to attend meetings had been unfair on the residents of Darley.

“Many constituents complained repeatedly that they felt absolutely disappointed, let down and cheated by not having three councillors,” he said.

“Wendy Harbon has been picking up her allowance but hasn't been at any of the meetings.”

The city's political party leaders were also pleased with the news.

Conservative group leader Philip Hickson said a by-election could not come a moment too soon.

He said: “We are well shot of her.”

Leader of the Labour group Chris Williamson said the Liberal Democrats, who selected her to be a candidate, should be held responsible.

He said: “The Lib Dems are culpable for selecting someone plainly unsuitable for public office. They have cost not only the public purse but also the reputation of elected members.”

Council and Lib Dem group leader Hilary Jones welcomed the chance for a by-election.

She said: “It's an opportunity for them to go out and vote for a more active councillor, someone who lives somewhere in Derby.”

Miss Harbon could not be contacted for comment last night.