A ROW between a town councillor and the Royston Conservative Party has been resolved. Cllr Rod Kennedy was suspended two weeks ago because he refused to bow to Tory group rules which he believed did not cover town councillors. But after taking advice he h

A ROW between a town councillor and the Royston Conservative Party has been resolved.

Cllr Rod Kennedy was suspended two weeks ago because he refused to bow to Tory group rules which he believed did not cover town councillors.

But after taking advice he has now "reluctantly" said he will keep to the rules.

Cllr Kennedy said, however, that he "remained of the opinion" that the rules were not intended to cover the activities of Tory members of the town council.

He was told that the rules covered any Tory councillor or any council, which included district councils and county councils.

Each town councillor has to sign up to a declaration which is part of the Government's rules on standards in local government.

Cllr Kennedy said: "I still consider these rules to be an unacceptable infringement on the right of an elected representative."

He continued that "in order to prevent further disharmony" he would accept the rules which would confirm, too, his support for Conservatism.

Cllr Philip Mayne, the leader of the town council, said the issue was resolved at a brief meeting of the Royston Conservative group of councillors.

He said that by Cllr Kennedy accepting the rules there were now no grounds for his suspension and "his suspension was rescinded".

Cllr Mayne added: "There is no attempt, to use his phrase, to gag him.