MEMBERS of parish and town councils across Tynedale are continuing to express their concern about communities being left in the dark over vital public information.

Among the latest to question Northumberland County Council’s decision to halt the publication of statutory notices in the Hexham Courant , in favour of using the Northumberland Gazette , is chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, Coun. Maurice Hodgson.

“I am concerned as local people need to have access to statutory information, and the county council have chosen to take away that access,” said Coun. Hodgson, who is also standing as an independent candidate for Corbridge in the forthcoming county council election.

“The Alnwick-based Northumberland Gazette doesn’t cover the Courant’s core circulation area.

“It seems to me a naive decision, particularly at this time, bearing in mind the ongoing sensitivities which regularly surface about the west of the county, rightly or wrongly, being branded as the poor relation.”

And at their latest meeting on Thursday night members of Acomb Parish Council agreed to write to the county council to highlight their concern over the issue.