A newly elected Cheshire East councillor has said he wants to work closely with Middlewich Town Council and others and 'put aside whatever differences seem to have arisen on social media'.

Councillors John Bird and Garnet Marshall, who have just been elected to represent Middlewich on the borough council, have both come under fire from some people on social media for joining the Independent group on Cheshire East.

Both have insisted they remain independent – but said joining the group, which is not a political party and is not whipped – gives them a better opportunity to do what they can for the town by taking up committee positions.

This is because, under Cheshire East's committee system, membership of committees is allocated according to proportionality – so the group with the highest number of councillors has the greatest representation on committees.

The council is made up of 33 Conservatives, 31 Labour, 14 Independent group members, two Independents who are not in the group, and two Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Bird told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "My promise to the people of Middlewich is that I'm going to work in a manner that enables meaningful dialogue with others in the town and across Cheshire East and come to conclusions based on intelligent decision making, given resources available in Cheshire East as well as the wants and needs of the town of Middlewich."

He said both he and Cllr Marshall just wanted to do what is right for the people of Middlewich.

"Clearly, my voice will be very much driven and underpinned by the agreed priorities for Middlewich. In order to do that surely, the best way forward, is to work closely with the town council and put aside whatever differences seem to have arisen on social media," said Cllr Bird.

"Everyone needs to be in the same room and have an open and honest dialogue and I just hope that everyone feels that that makes sense."

He added: "We're joining that [Independent] group to try and have more influence at Cheshire East level on behalf of the people of Middlewich."

Cllr Marshall took to social media to explain his position and, in a video on Facebook, also referred to the way the committee structure works.

He also referred to a rift between himself and Middlewich Town Council mayor Colin Coules – but did say he would work with Cllr Coules to do his best for Middlewich.

Cllr Marshall has not responded to requests by the LDRS for an interview.

Cllr Coules said: "Middlewich Town Council are happy to work with any borough councillors of any political persuasion for the benefit of Middlewich."