I HAVE no wish to become embroiled in an argument over party politics and consequently consider myself to be apolitical. I just wish to share my recent experience.

I lived in the East Midlands for several years and returned to Woolston about 15 years ago. One of my first impressions was how well the team of three ward councillors worked together, in particular with regular Saturday surgeries and periodic newsletters. This compared very favourably with what I had experienced elsewhere.

About eight years ago I needed a local councillor’s help and I randomly chose to enlist the services of Bill Brinksman. I was very favourably impressed by his response and the quick resolution of the issue.

In 2016 I was surprised to see that Mr Brinksman and another councillor had not been selected by their political party to stand as candidates in the May 2016 local elections. Although the de-selected councillors stood as independent candidates both were unsuccessful.

At the end of November 2017, I was watching Sunday politics on BBC1 and the question of blocked drainage in Galgate and parts of Cumbria was discussed. I realised that Warrington had similar problems and emailed one of the ‘new’ ward councillors. He failed to respond and I made allowances that he was perhaps busy pre- Christmas. As the new year approached I sent him a ‘reminder’.

At the end of January, the councillor had still not replied. I therefore sent him another reminder and this time I received a response.

The response was to deny receipt of the earlier emails. I had not received any non-delivery notices. I therefore suggested a deadline for the councillor to investigate the matter and supply, at least, an interim response.

I regret to say that the councillor failed to comply with the deadline.

I realise that the political scenes are changing both nationally and across the EU and also worldwide.

Perhaps I have missed similar changes occurring on the local political scene.

The Saturday morning surgeries have certainly gone along with the periodic newsletters. Perhaps the traditional ways in which ward councillors represent the interests of their constituents has also changed. Possibly in a world of ever advancing technology councillors have developed other means of representing their constituents, we are now in the 21st century. I welcome the views and experiences of other readers.

EDWARD BLANCHARD Woolston