A MAJOR political row has broken out after three non-elected members of the borough's standards committee quit.

Committee chairman, Stuart Aiken, Kenneth Elderfield and Barrie Wickens resigned last week, claiming some members of the standards committee were not committed to the watchdog, which monitors the behaviour of borough and parish councillors in the Test Valley.

In a joint letter they stated: "The majority of members of the standards committee have shown interest and commitment but we have been concerned by the reaction of some members to agreed decisions of the committee. These have included remarks to a parish council, which disparaged a decision of the committee, and on occasions, personal attacks on the chair of the committee, copied to other party members within the borough council."

They said the activities of members from one party (not specified) "undermines the standards committee as a whole and makes its effective operation impossible."

The letter is addressed to Susan Tovey, the council's monitoring officer and head of legal services, who also comes under fire from the trio.

"You have stated that your past practice, whilst with another authority, has been to deal with code of conduct matters at parish and borough councils yourself and (in paraphrase) 'to keep the standards committee in a cupboard and bring it out only when required'.

The letter accuses the authority of paying lip service to the idea of a code of conduct: "It is evident that TVBC wants a standards committee reactively carrying out the minimum legislative requirements with minimum support or promotion. The monitoring officer plainly seeks to bypass the standards committee whenever possible. We consider neither of these approaches is conductive towards an effective committee and that they will create an environment within which we do not find it acceptable to work.

The trio also claim borough leader, Ian Carr, and chief executive, Roger Tetstall, said last June they "saw no need" for the council's standards committee and "would prefer" to operate without it.

In response to the resignations, Mrs Tovey said: "It is clear from the queries I and other officers receive that councillors take the code very seriously and wish to comply with it." Mrs Tovey dismissed allegations that Mr Tetstall and Mr Carr "saw no need" for a standards committee.

She says in a letter to all three: "I have discussed this with the chief executive and he advises that your paraphrase of comments by him and the leader are inaccurate." Mrs Tovey also stated she was unaware of any "personal attacks" on the ex-standards committee chairman.

"From the discussions I've had with the leader of the council and the chief executive, I would disagree that the council 'wants a standard committee reactively carrying out the minimum legislative requirements with minimum support or promotion.'

She denied she bypassed the standards committee wherever possible. " I have a role and duty towards the council as a whole and its members and not just the standards committee. I do not require the approval of the committee for all the advice I give to members," said Mrs Tovey.

Lib Dem, North Baddesley borough member, Steve Cosier, who refused to stand up for Test Valley's new mayor Peter Boulton last week over planning issues and the resignations, said: " I am extremely worried at the charges levelled against those persons in charge of this borough."

He added: "I make no apologies for my actions at mayor-making. I used my democratic right to show my disapproval, ideas and opinions and I believe, one of the most valuable rights of the individual and should not be muffled."

A borough spokesperson said: "Councillor Cosier's suggestion that his behaviour last week was vindicated by these resignations is puzzling. The planning matters cited by Councillor Cosier have not raised issues that would be referred to the standards board."