A HEXHAM town councillor has insisted he was praising the organisation by referring to it as a “10-bob council.”

It was claimed that Coun. Derek Kennedy made the reference at a recent meeting of Northumberland County Council, on which he also serves, representing Hexham West.

Coun. Kennedy has been vocal in his concerns over the administration of local democracy during the coronavirus pandemic.

And at a full council meeting of the local authority two weeks ago, he expressed his frustrations at the cancellation of meetings, including those of the local area council, while praising Hexham Town Council for its success in hosting meetings via video link.

When questioned by Hexham’s deputy mayor, Coun. Steve Ball, at Monday’s town council meeting, Coun. Kennedy said: “It was just a slip of the tongue. If I did say this I apologise.

“We’ve done a great job in opening up democracy since Covid, and I was comparing how well Hexham Town Council, a very small council compared to the county council, has done compared to the county, which has shut down 80 meetings out of 130.”

Coun. Kennedy responded after Hexham’s deputy mayor, Coun. Steve Ball, had asked him to explain his earlier comments.

Coun. Ball said: “It’s not a direct criticism, I just asked what the reference was.”