Cllrs David Freeman and Richard Ormerod both backed an attempt by Lib Dem County Councillors at last week’s Council meeting, to create a process that brings council papers, hidden from public view, into the public domain.

This is so that when the need to keep them secret no longer exists, they can be accessed.

This proposal was rejected by the ruling Labour Party.

As it stands, part B papers (documents not available to the general public) are kept secret forever.

The motion asked for part B papers to be listed and regularly reviewed. This would have ensured that Durham County Council can be open and transparent about all the decisions it makes.

There is a need for reports on contractual arrangements to be concealed. There are some documents that can never be disclosed, such as those that contain personal information. But when the need to keep them secret expires, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be released.

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