IN?reply to the letter from John Timbrell in last week's Review.

As the Independent councillor for the Mitcheldean and Drybrook ward, where Mr Timbrell lives, I feel I must respond to his letter of last week.

I am proud to be an Independent and was elected as such. I can promise I will always vote as such. The Independent councillors have formed a group which enables them to get representation on the various committees etc. In fact, we now represent the balance of power on all committees within the council.

We agreed to cooperate with the Conservative group to enable them to form an administration, but as far as I'm concerned that is it. I for one will always vote in the interests of the ward of Mitcheldean and Drybrook, the residents of which I was elected to represent, and, can assure you that I will not be under any instructions from the Conservative Party or any other.

– Cllr Ian Whitburn (Independent) Mitcheldean and Drybrook.