FEARS have been expressed that party allegiances may disrupt a town council after initial promises the body would not be divided by politics.

Bishop Auckland town councillors Sam and Lesley Zair, whose son Adam is also a member, said they were dismayed after their minority group was overlooked for positions as chairmen and vice-chairmen on the authority.

Following the elections two weeks ago, the Labour party controls seven of the council’s seats with the three Zairs, who are members of the Wear Valley Independent Party, and Liberal Democrat Alan Anderson holding the remaining spaces.

When the council was formed in 2007 there were six Labour councillors and five Liberal Democrats who between them had an understanding to share responsibilities.

The position as mayor alternated between the different parties each year, but with the increased Labour majority Sam Zair said he feared the arrangement had been ditched.

Labour’s David Fleming and Colin Race were appointed the new town mayor and deputy at the council’s annual meeting on Tuesday (May 14).

Coun Zair said he was also frustrated that the Labour group had allocated the chairmen and vice-chairmen places on the council’s various committees with none of the roles going to the Wear Valley Independents.

Lesley Zair said her party had been sidelined, adding: “It has been distastefully done after all we have done for this town council.”

Councillor Fleming said the agreement was “in the past” and that being members of a political party meant debate would probably be political.

He refused to say whether the mayoral role would be shared between the groups, adding: “I do not want to walk into open warfare.”

Town clerk David Anderson said roles on committees were determined according to proportional representation and it was common practice for discussions to be held prior to council meetings to allocate places.

The Wear Valley Independents declined to appoint any of their members to any committees until they have held their own discussions before the next meeting in June.

Meanwhile, outgoing mayor Charlie Kay presented £875 to the British Heart Foundation raised during his 12 months wearing the chain.

Councillor John Lethbridge paid tribute to Councillor Kay, who has now left the council to become Durham County Councillor for Coundon, and said: “Charlie is ebullient, effervescent and spontaneous in his extemporising.”