A NEW political group has emerged within the council chamber in Richmond - and will attempt to make its mark at a meeting next week.

To date, power has been in the hands of Richmondshire District Council's independents, who outnumber both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, while Labour remains unrepresented.

The theory has always been that, while no political party ruled the roost, consensus politics would ensure the best deal for the public.

However, cracks began to show last year when there was some unease over just how far to the right some independents seemed to be leaning.

And, now, the gloves are off with five members of the group confirming a breakaway.

A statement issued yesterday by new leader, Colburn councillor Helen Grant, said: "The intention of The Independent Group is to work with all groups on the council in order that decisions are arrived at by consensus and not by confrontation.

"In this way, the council will work to achieve the best for all of the electorate.

"The formation of this new group was brought about by a swing away from true independence by the Richmondshire Association of Independent Councillors towards a "Condependence" between the RAIC and Conservatives, who work so closely together that they are, in reality, one group.

"The reason for this closeness is the RAIC's desire to maintain overall power at whatever cost. The Independent Group was formed in protest against such an arrangement," said Coun Grant.

Richmondshire District Council and RAIC leader, Councillor John Blackie - who recently confirmed his alignment with the Tories at County Hall - declined to give his analysis on the split, indicating he felt it was best left to those who have formed the group.

However, he confirmed the surviving members of the old independent group will be urging a council meeting on Tuesday to re-allocate the chairmanships and memberships of committees to better reflect the new order.

"There is now a new look to the council and it would seem only right that the we reorganise to reflect that," he said