Several newspapers around the country have been campaigning against council secrecy as local authorities bring in new cabinet systems – designed to streamline local government.

But the York Evening Press has been able to report that its city’s Labour leaders have pledged their system will be fully open to the public.

From May 25, the City of York Council will be divided into an “executive” of cabinet members solely from the ruling political party. A series of committees will have a scrutinising role, examining cabinet decisions.

But council leader Rod Hills pledged that opposition members would be able to “call in” controversial issues for a full debate in public.

Cabinet papers would be published in advance, he said, and cabinet meetings would almost certainly be open to members of the public.

He added that by giving notice in advance, members of the public would be entitled to ask questions at cabinet meetings themselves.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups on the council have both welcomed the pledge of openness.See yesterday’s story on an East Midlands council U-turn over secrecy by clicking here

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