Sir, – I do hope that David Graham's letter about the Code of Conduct does not deter talented people, from all backgrounds, from standing as local councillors. Any reasonable person has little to fear, and local democracy needs a steady supply of lively minds and a healthy diet of informed debate.
The Code of Conduct would be unnecessary if all councillors behaved in an appropriate way, but, as in other walks of life, many are penalised for the sins of a few. However, most councillors seek advice on their interests and actions, respect the views of others and cope remarkably well with the system. It is mainly common sense, after all, and the public must be reassured that decisions are made as fairly as possible.
If several complaints are made against an individual councillor, from a variety of sources, it is probably the behaviour of the councillor that is at fault, not the workings of the code.
Councillor Mrs Carole Cockburn (Bourne Ward),
Pine Ridge Drive, Lower Bourne