I AM writing to congratulate Katherine Bird on her election as chair of Andover Town Council.

She stood as an Independent and had wide support from Conservative and Labour members and supporters.

Whilst I did not vote for her, Katherine has put in a lot of personal energy into the town last year and deserves credit for this.

Like many others, I was somewhat taken aback when after election Katherine decided to opt to be the Town Mayor. This is well within her legal right. However, as a liberal I am in favour of public consultation on such issues, let alone taking soundings or letting her fellow councillors know what she was considering.

Consultation is at the heart of local government. Conservative Test Valley failed to consult at all on the Andover Leisure Centre fiasco and we have yet to see the full effects.

Conservative Hampshire failed to consult over The Junction and this impacted on the local service provision for young adults. Hopefully, we in Andover will learn from other people’s mistakes.

Andover Town Cllr Luigi Gregori, Charlton Road, Andover.