I WISH to refer to the article entitled "A word to the wise, but not to the press", published in the Bolton Evening News on August 19.
My colleague, Cllr Andrew Bower, comments upon a decision in the past by a previous administration, that councillors were not allowed to talk to the press. At the time, quite frankly, I was also surprised that such a decision had been approved. However, upon reflection, I have made the assumption that this policy relates purely to reporting on official decisions and resolutions passed by the council, and I would support the need for an official spokesperson in this instance.
With regard to your article wherein Cllr Bower referred to the Vodaphone mast. As this subject had not yet appeared before the Town Council, then, quite clearly, he could not have been speaking on behalf of the council, and the views expressed must have been his own, or a digest condensed by the reporter.
While councillors of whatever political party do their utmost for residents of Blackrod, quite naturally interpretation of events may differ between the parties.
A good example is, for instance, in a recent political pamphlet, Blackrod Town Council was referred to as a Labour Council -- whereas my political view is that, with four Conservative councillors, four Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat councillor neither Labour nor Conservatives have overall control.
Naturally, if the Town Council wished to officially comment on who controls the council, I would be bound not to comment under the present policy!
One must always differentiate between political gambits from all political parties and matters which affect the residents of Blackrod, where we all pull together in the interests of the village.
Ian Hamilton
Liberal Democrat councillor
Blackrod Town Council
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