HILLMAN DEEPLY HURT

Hillman 'deeply hurt' as he is overlooked for election spot
Coun Peter Hillman.
By TEGAN CHAPMAN
THE leader of Northumberland County Council has said he was deeply hurt by his party's decision not to elect him into the new unitary council.
Peter Hillman will not stand for Labour in the Holywell ward of the new authority after his party opted for a different candidate to contest his ward.It was decided on Friday that Blyth Valley councillor Bernard Pidcock will contest the seat.Coun Hillman said: "I am hurt by it, of course I am – I am really upset that I will not be able to contest the seat for the Holywell ward that I have had for 19 years."I think I have served my constituency well, nevertheless this is part of the democratic process I have to abide by."I am incredibly proud that I have manag
ed to lead this council to a four-star excellence authority, and I really do hope that whoever takes over will move that forward."I am really pleased that the bid for single unitary status was accepted and I hope that the new council will fulfil promises that I made when we were submitting the bid, as I will now not be here to see those promises through."Former county leader Bill Brooks also failed to win a nomination to contest his seat within the Blyth Newsham ward – meaning two of driving forces behind the creation of the new 'super council' will not be part of it."I am sad that I will no longer be part of it – because it is something that I have done for 19 years, and the new council was something that I hoped I would see through," Coun Hillman added."Come May I will have to find something else to do, and I am thoroughly disappointed, but that is how democracy works."
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Last Updated: 11 March 2008 4:30 PM
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