I refer to your letter from Alan and Moira Smith on Wednesday, July 2.

Under the guise of praising South Tyneside council's success in achieving the Municipal Journal's award for best council in the Uk, it sought to denigrate the present Independent councillors who serve the Fellgate and Hedworth ward.

I agree that Paul Waggott was a councillor for many years and, indeed, leader for 11 years, but he had much in common with other ward councillors who lost their seats in 2006, 2007 and 2008, including a co-writer of the aforesaid letter.

The facts are very clear, and were intimated to all three Independent councillors as they canvassed the ward.

All too often, we were told they could not see what their councillors had done in the many years they had been entrusted with their support.
The current council leader, Coun Iain Malcolm, has sworn that no building work will be considered on the green belt land next to Jarrow's Fellgate estate.

It seems he has learned a valuable lesson from the downfall of his predecessor.

Let's also remember that that was never the sole issue at stake here.
There was also the sheer disregard shown to projects put before the Jarrow community area forum, but rejected by the dominant labour membership.

We agree with the writers that council staff have been helpful in either carrying through the wishes of elected ward members or giving respectful and pertinent reasons why they could not.

Just as a sweetener, how many residents believe that our council really deserved to win that top UK accolade?

I ask because I have had a number of them uttering disbelief on that score.

Coun George Waddle,
Independent councillor for Fellgate and Hedworth.