THE council has launched a number of initiatives aimed at bringing it closer to the public, with mixed success.

The authority’s cabinet, which under the previous setup met in County Hall, Durham City, has begun a tour of the county.

Council leader Simon Henig said the meetings would offer an opportunity to talk to decision-makers.

However, before last month’s meeting in Consett, the tour had only got as far as Durham Town Hall – and half of meetings will still be at County Hall.

A question time has also been established, with half an hour immediately before cabinet meetings set aside for the public to put questions to councillors.

Most meetings to date have attracted a small number of questions, but there are concerns about special interest groups hijacking the forum.

Liberal Democrat councillor Owen Temple says a Consett man who attended the meeting in his home town to ask a question about a planned Tesco supermarket was unable to do so.

Councillor Henig said: “It is important that everybody has the opportunity to ask their questions. But it is important individuals do not take over to the exclusion of others.”

Lib Dem Grenville Holland said that however hard the council might try to engage with them, people felt disenfranchised.

“When the history of local government in Durham is written, April 2009 may well be seen as a great leap backwards.”

However, Lorraine O’Donnell, the council’s assistant chief executive, stressed there has been no “massive centralisation”

since April 1, with most staff still based in communities, civic centres remaining open and telephone numbers still in use. The council magazine is also being published more regularly.

She said: “We know that people will judge us on how well-informed they feel and how well they feel able to influence decisions.”