Sir, – I am writing to thank the 611 residents in Northallerton North and Brompton for having the confidence to vote for me as their Independent candidate in the recent local council elections.

To my knowledge all candidates throughout the Hambleton district conducted themselves over the past four weeks or so of the election campaign in a proper and courteous manner which was good to see.

The vote with one exception was for a total occupation of the Hambleton District Council seats by Conservative councillors. I am confident that Claire Palmer (Ukip) will very much make her lone presence felt and put difficult questions to the powers that be as the need arises.

It is however a great pity that our district council has no significant opposition to endeavour to prevent it doing whatever it wants to do – perhaps even selling off the leisure centres in the same way it made a massive misjudgment in selling off its housing stock.

However, even after all this recent activity and having spend 45 years in local government I am still asking myself what does Hambleton District Council do?

We heard throughout the campaign from the ruling group about the low level of council tax but the fact is that if you do very little then you need to spend very little. I fail to find anything at all that Hambleton District Council does that cannot quite simply be taken over by North Yorkshire County Council at a significantly lower cost. Hopefully this will happen within the next few years as was intended a few years ago.

The significant local vote for the Conservatives does mean that the community by and large endorses switching off the street lights, closing the public toilets, imposing car parking charges in Northallerton High Street and are happy for councillors and the council leader to give themselves significant pay rises – you get what you wish for.

PAUL ATKIN

Independent candidate, Northallerton North and Brompton Ward, Hambleton District Council.