MINEHEAD'S mayor has proven there's no place for party politics in local councils as he sets aside his Conservative label.  Norman Hercock is now labelled as an 'independent' on the town council's website.  Mr Hercock was sworn in as mayor in May with Conservative Gail Everett as deputy.  "Pressure was building up," he said. "But I made the decision on my own back.

"I won't be bullied. I think I might have been put in the position as a puppet but I am not a puppet.

"As a council we've got to be crystal clear."

Mr Hercock said he would like to see other councillors following his lead in leaving there political colours at the door of the town council.

"There should be no politics at a town level, there' no need for it.

"We need to be working together as a team.

"The majority of the cllrs have come around, and the rest will in time.

"When you become mayor, you don't get any training. You're not just a figure head, you've got to make important decisions.

"I'm making those decisions, so I want to be crystal clear with everyone.

"I think other cllrs should put their colours aside, too.

"The public votes us in, and we are here to represent them.

"We've got to modernise the council, so there's no time to play with politics"

Despite now being an independent mayor, Cllr Hercock says he will always remain a 'true blue' Conservative by membership.

The town council has faced contentious times of late as long-standing clerk Sue Sanders resigned in May, leaving the council without a responsible financial officer (RFO).

The following months featured debates over an 'unauthorised' payment to a former employee.  The council found new stability in July after the appointment of a temporary clerk and RFO who Mr Hercock says are doing a 'wonderful' job.