POLL shows majority happy with services' (Echo, Sept 22) referred to a poll conducted in July 2006 about levels of satisfaction with services provided by Ferryhill Town Council.

The 268 responses to the poll were, of course, negated by the results of the May 2007 town council elections where dissatisfaction with the council resulted in Labour losing six of their 17 seats. In council leader Pat McCourt's Ferryhill ward, Labour lost four of their seven seats and are now in a minority. Coun McCourt himself was elected after three re-counts and then by only 20 votes.

A third poll deserving of consideration is the on-going petition currently circulating in Ferryhill which allows residents to support a vote of confidence in our executive officer.

To date, 240 people have signed this petition. Using Coun McCourt's approach to reporting poll results, this represents a massive 89 per cent vote of no confidence in our executive officer.

Brian Gibson, Ferryhill Town Councillor (FAIR).

UNSURPRISINGLY, Darlington voted against an elected mayor, following Sedgefield and many others by voting out this undemocratic method of local government.

The Labour Government makes shallow promises about democracy and yet introduces a cabinet system of local government, without subjecting it to proportional representation.

There are no Opposition councillors on Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet. Opposition councillors do receive cabinet minutes and can attend cabinet meetings, but they are not allowed to speak or vote and therefore are unable to represent their constituents.

Surely it would enhance the public perception of local politics and encourage higher voter turnout if there were Opposition councillors in the cabinet. It would also stimulate a healthy debate.

Councillor Ben Ord, Lib Dem Group Leader, Sedgefield Borough Council.

THE assurances from various Darlington councillors about their future intentions to listen to the electorate appear to have been short-lived.

Before the mayoral referendum count had finished a number of councillors displayed breathtaking arrogance by entirely ignoring the prohibition announced by their own officers on the use of mobile phones in the counting room, and this despite a reminder.

This is not the only instance in recent months of the contempt shown by our elected representatives for those who elect them and indeed those who serve them. Presumably, it will be business as usual until the next crisis prompts renewed assurances.

Graham Hunsley, Darlington.