AS I expected from the beginning of this year, Yarm Town Council has lost a judicial review into car parking charges imposed by Stockton Borough Council (Echo, Oct 11).

Town council chairman Jason Hadlow said that members voted unanimously to seek legal advice and proceed to a judicial review.

This is totally untrue.

From the outset, Yarm independents were completely against the possible expenditure of £50,000 which would be a complete waste of our precious resources.

In February 2012 we had a closed meeting to discuss the judicial review and by this time we had a barrister’s report.

Prior to the meeting, I studied the report and asked that it was debated but the chairman refused as it was on the agenda to be noted. He did not intend for this to be extended to debate. I pointed out that if I could challenge the report, Stockton Borough Council’s barrister would have no problem at all.

This was ignored.

It was therefore of no surprise to me that Yarm Town Council lost the case in the high court, in Leeds.

The town council was at a disadvantage as the clerk, our proper officer, who should have been dealing with our solicitors had the matter taken out of her hands. Instead, it was given to a new councillor with no experience. From that time forward we received two updates of information they wanted us to know but no questions were answered.

Three people were involved in the inner sanctum and mum was the word. When a meeting was arranged with Stockton Borough Council officers, Yarm independents had to go to unusual lengths to find out the time, date and venue.

There should be a call for the resignation of these people and those who support their actions should hang their heads in shame, especially when negotiation with Stockton Borough Council would have been adequate and free of charge.

Marjorie Simpson, Yarm.