A former Watford councillor who resigned to start a new life in America has said she will repay a “portion” of the allowances she claimed while out of the country.

Sheila Smillie stepped down as a Central Ward councillor at the end of August after deciding to extend a family holiday while her husband looked for work in Florida.

However, after the Watford Observer revealed last week that she had received more than £2,000 in allowances since she left the country in May, she has now agreed to “donate” a share back to the council.

As a member of the Functions committee, Ms Smillie has missed three meetings, including two full council meetings since that time, and her resignation has now sparked a by-election that will take place on October 14.

In a statement sent by email to the Watford Observer, Ms Smillie said that although her family is still undecided about whether to return to the Watford, she decided to resign as a councillor to concentrate on her personal situation.

She said: “My husband, son and I are on a family holiday. Following my husband resigning from his job, we need to decide we where our lives will take us now.

“We came to America on a tourist visa to visit family and friends and once here I decided to resign as a councillor so I could concentrate on my family and our present situation.

“We have yet to confirm if we plan to seek a future life abroad, as we remain on a tourist visa, so we may still be returning back to Watford.

“Whilst here I have been working on emails and issues for residents and contacting them by email and phone.

“I am fully aware of the issues relating to councillors' allowances and always planned that once a by-election had taken place, I would donate a portion of my allowance back to the council to compensate for the (presently) three meetings I have missed.”

Further questions about how much she will repay and when were unanswered at the time the Watford Observer went to press.

Ms Smillie's resignation and allowance claim has continue to come under fire from opposition politicians who have demanded she or the Watford Liberal Democrats repay the sum in full.

Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, Labour group leader at Watford Town Hall, said: “Sheila could and should have timed her resignation to tie in with the local elections that were held in May. The fact she didn’t shows a callous disregard for taxpayer’s money.

“The cost of the by-election could have been better spent on worthy projects in central Watford. Instead, she has let herself and those who voted Lib Dem down very badly.”