The rubbish heaps are a testament to the minority Liberal-run authority and their vouched aims of being closer to the people. At least the garbage of Northumberland is getting closer.

But I digress. Councillor Nixon may be somewhat confused over my letter and I would ask that I be given room to reply.

I am sorry if it appears that I was just stating the obvious about the 'new' council, I was not. My letter was an indictment of the councillors' attitude to the planning committee meeting that chose to add to the problems faced by the residents in this area.

I was livid at not being able to address the committee, due to my 'only' being a district councillor.

The scenario of the police being called to stop me from talking, I believe, led to me being able, or rather allowed, to have my say and oppose this application.

My ire, however, in my letter was more directed to the local county councillors, who being able, or rather had a right, to address the committee as such, either failed to turn up at the meeting or indeed sat on their hands and said nothing.

I note from his letter that he hopes the Labour run authority in Blyth Valley has success in opposing the application – that remains to be seen, but as a county councillor he had a right, indeed a duty to speak against this application.

COUNCILLOR BOB WATSON
Seaton Delaval Ward,
Blyth Valley Borough Council

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