VETERAN Waverley councillor Marie King-Hele has attacked as politically biased the system chosen to select developers for the regeneration of East Street and called for the inclusion of more Farnham-ward councillors in the selection process.

Mrs King-Hele, who was leader of the council when it launched the regeneration bid in 1993/4, says an interview panel of Waverley councillors should include more Farnham-ward and Liberal Democrat members.

The Liberal Democrat councillor for the Farnham Castle ward led a failed bid toward greater Farnham and Lib Dem representation at a meeting of Waverley's ruling executive committee on Tuesday night.

Originally the panel, which is to interview prospective developers, was to include all nine Tory members of the executive and the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the council's overview and scrutiny committees, making a total of 15.

But the executive confirmed on Tuesday night that the final figure is more likely to be nine or 10 because some councillors are unable to commit themselves to the number of meetings required.

Mrs King-Hele suggested instead that the panel comprise the members of the East Street Redevelopment Special Interest Group, which is made up of entirely Farnham-ward councillors, and three members of the executive. But members of the executive rejected her proposal.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs King-Hele, who also represents Farnham Central at county council level, said: "I really was hoping to ensure that the interviewing panel was predominantly made up of Farnham members.

"They say they've got it down to nine or ten members, with about five from Farnham, but the balance is still slightly skewed. They'll be four Farnham Tories and only one Liberal Democrat. Farnham does have a majority of Liberal Democrats on Waverley with 11 out of 18 councillors."

Mrs King-Hele continued: "The panel should be made up of people who know what Farnham needs and asks the questions which Farnham people want asked.

"It's disappointing that they're politicising this when they've made such great play of the fact that it's everyone together."