FERRYHILL COUNCIL THE actions of the majority Labour group of Ferryhill Town Council (Echo, Sept 22) exemplifies the need for the appointment of an Ombudsman to investigate the actions and conduct of town and parish councils.

The imposition of a unitary authority covering all of Durham will increase the power and influence of town and parish councils like Ferryhill, and this underlines the need for the Ombudsman's involvement. - Alan Kelly, Ferryhill.

YOU report the result of a poll conducted by Ferryhill Town Council (Echo, Sept 22) in which apparently boundless enthusiasm for its activities was expressed.

This survey was in fact conducted in August 2006.

I suppose that good news is always a welcome distraction in politics. Ask a Labour minister about the illegal invasion of Iraq and they reply "our servicemen are doing a great job". Ask local Labour councillors about procedure in the council chamber and up pops a high-satisfaction rating and the flowerbeds look well.

Of course at the election of a new council in May, (a rather more substantial test of public opinion) we can divine that the applause had died down a little.

More than 2,000 votes were cast. Fifty-one per cent supported Labour and 49 per cent the opposition - hardly an overwhelming vote of confidence for past policies and approaches.

The result set the ruling Labour group a difficult challenge.

How could it make sure that the result was reflected across all of the council's decision- making structures? How could it make sure that questions were welcomed and that matters were open to scrutiny and debate?

Regrettably, it could not.

In Ferryhill, as elsewhere in our region, Labour has ruled unchallenged for decades.

Now like a creature left too long in its lair, when the light of inquiry is shone upon its proceedings, it emerges and lashes out, only to strike at democracy itself (Echo, Sept 21). It is a spectacle that does neither the council nor the Labour group much credit. - Ken Storey, Independent councillor, Ferryhill Town Council.