ALL political factions within Hexham Town Council were of one mind this week as councillors called for a U-turn on the county council’s controversial decision.

At Monday’s meeting of Hexham Town Council, councillors aired their concerns that public notices were not being published in the Hexham Courant .

A motion to ask the county council to reverse its decision, was put forward by Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Trevor Cessford.

Independent county councillor for Hexham West, Coun. Derek Kennedy said he had raised the issue with the council’s chief executive Steven Mason.

He said: “I had a look through last week’s Northumberland Gazette .

“The only reference I could find to Tynedale was on page 59, public notices, and they stand out like a sore thumb.”

Coun. Cath Homer added: “People have contacted me worried that this is the county council attempting to censor the local paper by the means of a sudden withdrawal of revenue.

“On the balance of probabilities, I have to agree with what they’re saying to me.”

The Conservative county councillor for Hexham East, Coun. Homer had also raised her concerns with Mr Mason.

She read out his response at the meeting which stated: “It is not the council’s role to support independent newspapers, and the issue of statutory notices relates to a bygone age which national government have recognised.

“The Northumberland Gazette , is as its name suggests, a paper designed to cover the whole of Northumberland and again I have been surprised at some of the statements in the press which are trying to link it purely to the Alnwick area.

“Given the recent press activity, which whilst I am sure is unintended, has created the impression that this could be a political issue, it would be wise to defer any decision on the way forward until after the county council elections as I do not wish to become embroiled in any perceived political arguments.”

Conservative county councillor for Hexham Central with Acomb, Terry Robson, said: “The Courant has been critical of the current administration and the perception is that revenge has been taken.

“There have been disagreeable articles that haven’t supported the administration and the Courant is having to suffer for that.”

Labour’s David Clegg suggested the decision may have been made in error.

He said: “I agree with a lot of what has been said; it is not acceptable.

“I think this is an officer decision, aimed at saving money without enough knowledge of the impact of that decision.

“I would suggest the political dimension is taken out of it and that we do this on the basic principle of public notices not being easily accessed.”

kathleen.moore@hexham-courant.co.uk