Sir, - The row at Northallerton Town Council about secrecy in the case of the former clerk to the burial committee has much wider implications.

Local councillors are always ready to publicise what goes right but they are rarely open when things go wrong. The truth is now being revealed to the public but only because the erstwhile clerk wrote an open letter to all councillors and the D&S has seen a copy.

I myself have been in the same position as the ex-clerk. A decade ago, after a long-running dispute with Hambleton council, a paper sent to each member of the council's then Policy and Resources Committee and other parties brought about much-needed changes in complaints procedures when senior councillors had decided to do nothing. Your predecessor as editor supported me and published a leader on the matter.

Now it would seem I am in the same position again. My complaint about two Hambleton senior planners, which has serious flooding implications, is not being handled properly.

In my recent letter (D&S, Oct 25) I said I had rejected potentially-biased investigation and adjudication by the chief executive and the council's standards committee. The committee was about to consider the matter and I asked whether it was likely to declare itself wanting in independence, suggesting pigs might fly if it did.

Your readers need no longer look skywards because the committee, with the public and Press excluded, duly declared itself satisfied with the council's complaints procedures. The matter will now go to the local government ombudsman but I have been told already she has approved the council's procedures.

In a recent article in The Times (Nov 18) the paper's ex-editor, describing "characteristic flaws of judgment" in the Burrell case, wrote "Ordinary people see that Sir Michael Peat cannot be inquisitor, prosecutor, witness and judge in an inquiry in which his master's reputation is involved. Why does Prince Charles not see that as well?". Exactly! Substitute the council for Sir Michael Peat and Prince Charles and the comment could not be more apt.

I will not submit my complaint under procedures "ordinary people" would find unacceptable. It seems that yet again, like the ex-clerk, I may have to bring the facts to public notice other than by a complaint to the council. The local Press is a vital check on the excesses of councillors and you will receive a copy. Where would we be without the D&S Times?

D F SEVERS

Borrowby Avenue,

Northallerton.

Uphold the law

Sir, - I read your very comprehensive report of the Richmondshire area committee meeting held on October 21 at Middleton Tyas (D&S,Oct 25) .

For 30 years the authorities have shown little interest in the problem of Quarry Road - the continued increase in traffic using it as a short cut to the industrial estate.

The only person who has achieved something was Coun Angela Harris, (now Baroness Harris) who 17 years ago was instrumental in the placement of a traffic order on Quarry Road for which the residents are grateful. This order was for local access only and banned through traffic.

It was thought that law-abiding citizens would comply. Due to lack of enforcement by the police and the authorities it appears drivers believe the law can be abused as long as you are not caught.

How can our councillors who should uphold the law encourage the persons to contravene the law? They do this by not condemning the drivers who flout the order. How can anyone who is using Quarry Road illegally, protest or be invited by County Coun Blackie (as he did at the meeting) to be involved in consultation about a road that is closed? Does this lead to having discussions with any person who does not agree with the law and wants to continue breaking it? Is this democracy in action?

The speed check carried out by the county council in April 2001 which showed 85pc of traffic exceeded the speed limit was not mentioned. Is this not important?

The residents' petition, the surveys by the county council and Coun Harris support point closure, the police, the county council and safety experts all support point closure. On what grounds do our councillors go against all the advice of the experts?

Coun Blackie said he was concerned that closure might affect the health of the trading estate and "that point closure was a step too far" A step too far for whom? Certainly not the residents. We have had pets killed, pedestrians are at risk, vehicles damaged, property damaged, residents have been verbally intimidated and abused and we suffer noise and pollution.

It cannot be right that more importance is given to the buoyancy of the trading estate than the safety and well being of the residents.

K S SUNTER

Quarry Road,

Richmond.

Look further

Sir, - Mr Heslop and the originators of his litany (D&S letters, Nov 15) of irrelevant, immaterial and grossly misleading statistics over-rely on the fact that few people have the time, facilities or inclination to verify them.

The important events taking place in the North-East today are the exodus of companies such as Philips and Black & Decker to the present and future Eurozone and will, no doubt, be followed by others.

Highlighting unemployment in Germany and agricultural reform issues in the EU does nothing for the rising number of the newly jobless people in the North-East.

To state also that France and Germany want their old currencies back indicates that Mr Heslop has not been very far out of Gainford this year.

OLLY ANDRLA

Press Officer,

Richmond Labour Party