SEVEN residents of St Ives say they are to stand as independent candidates for the town council later this year. The news comes after a current councillor resigned from the Conservative group and called on more independent candidates to come forward. Cllr

SEVEN residents of St Ives say they are to stand as independent candidates for the town council later this year.

The news comes after a current councillor resigned from the Conservative group and called on more independent candidates to come forward.

Cllr Brian Luter is among the group seeking election, while the list also includes a former mayor - Ian Dobson - and Jonathan Salt, the artistic director of St Ives Youth Theatre.

In an open letter from the seven candidates, the group admits it will pool resources to fight an election campaign but will exercise independent judgement, if elected.

The letter reads: "We believe this is the way forward for St Ives to achieve greater democracy, more community involvement and a more open system of local government."

The seven are also encouraging more independent councillors to come forward.

Nick Dibben, co-chairman of the Action Corn Exchange pressure group with Mr Dobson, is one of those standing for council.

He told The Hunts Post: "It is a group of individuals who want to get politics out of the town council. There are still a number of other people thinking about it.

"It will be interesting to see what the response of the political parties is. People now have a choice."

He conceded that, if there were 16 independent councillors, groups could form among them.

"It's more than just the Corn Exchange, although that has shone a big spotlight on what the town council does.

"But there are other issues, such as the council deciding not to send anyone when invited by the county council to talk about transport.

"There have been a number of issues where they have not tried to represent the town.

"A number of people just want to do their bit for the community but don't want to be involved in party politics."

Mike Croker, Phil Green and Martin Collier complete the line-up of prospective councillors.

INFORMATION: Elections for St Ives Town Council take place on May 1.