THERE appears to be a lot of confusion about the independents on Spennymoor Town Council. There is only one real independent councillor, who was elected at the last local elections. One Liberal Democrat, who is not under any whip. Then there are three Labour Group members and the remaining 17 were elected under the Spennymoor Independent Group Banner.

I was asked to join the group while serving as a Durham County and Spennymoor Town councillor but declined. I have not stood at the last two local elections for Spennymoor Town Council and I still can't understand how councillors can be in a group and still be independent. I was talking to the present mayor, Cllr Clive Maddison, on an informal basis and I find it refreshing to have people like him representing the town.

The bottom line is that I think all Spennymoor councillors should put their hometown first. As a past Liberal Democrat councillor, I have never worked under a whip system and successfully opposed it while a member of Durham County Council.

Ben Ord, Spennymoor