It is right that it is the duty of trustees of Largs Common Good Fund, in the interests of all the people of Largs, to always attempt to get the best deal for the fund.

This has been stated by Labour Councillor Alex Gallagher who joined Tory Councillor Tom Marshall in challenging the sale of Routenburn clubhouse to the golf committee.

After being criticised in the letters column of the 'News' Mr Gallagher wrote: "It is a duty which I take seriously. I knew that, when the Routenburn clubhouse was mooted for sale a few years ago, it had a higher valuation than was currently on offer. I also knew that if the sale went ahead there would be a loss of rental income to the Common Good Fund.

"In my role as trustee, and in the interests of the Common Good Fund, I sought assurances that the recent, lower, valuation was the best we could expect to get for the property at this time and, therefore, that the sale was in the best interests of the fund. Mr Mitchell's letter raises a number of other theories, issues and named personalities none of which played any part in my considerations."

Although councillors Gallagher and Marshall voted together they were beaten on the casting vote of SNP councillor Alan Hill for the sale to go ahead to the Routenburn committee.