New row on council.

A LABOUR activist has accused Mirfield Town Council of failing to properly advertise vacancies.

The all-Tory town council needs to replace four councillors who quit in May.

Michael Hutchinson, secretary of Mirfield Labour Party, said the council should have advertised the vacancies in the local press, not just on Kirklees Council's website and on posters in Mirfield Community Centre, Mirfield Library and the council offices.

Mr Hutchinson said: "Normal, full democratic procedure has not been followed. As a result, citizens have effectively been deprived of the right to stand for election to vacancies on the council."

Mr Hutchinson questioned whether the Tories wanted to avoid an election to "quietly co-opt more of their cronies" without an election.

The Examiner reported in May how out-going mayor Pat Sutcliffe, her husband John, deputy mayor Richard Hartley and former Kirklees councillor Colin Fretwell, all resigned amid claims of feuds and in-fighting.

Current mayor Clr David Pinder said the town council had taken full advice from Kirklees Council on the process of advertising vacancies.

The deadline had now passed but interviews would be held for anyone who wanted to put themselves forward for co-option.

One person has applied for co-option so far. Selection may take place in September.