PREVIOUSLY secret council cabinet meetings were opened to the press and public for the first time yesterday.

Darlington Borough Council was accused of diluting democracy when it introduced a closed-door cabinet style system of local government in May.

But after The Northern Echo's Council Watch campaign highlighted public concern, the Labour-run authority decided to open its meetings to the press and public.

A number of items were discussed at yesterday's meeting, ranging from the situation regarding the regeneration of the Firth Moor estate to an update on the town centre access study.

No members of the public were present at the meeting, but this was probably because there were no controversial items on the agenda.

Afterwards, Darlington council leader Councillor John Williams, said he was pleased with how the meeting went.

"We are very happy, and now want to get on with the job of delivering quality, cost-effective services for the people of Darlington," he said.

"The biggest surprise was that there were no Conservative councillors present at the meeting, giving the political advantage they sought to make out of the cabinet issue."

But although opposition councillors welcomed the fact that the press and public were able to meetings, they were more sceptical about the real openness of the process.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Ken Walker, said: "The move to open the meetings to the press and public is obviously welcome, but we do not feel that it changes anything in regard to the decision-making process.

"To be accountable would require the cabinet answering questions from the opposition and the public, but that is not going to be the case."

Conservative group leader, Councillor Tony Richmond, said: "We are against the cabinet system of local government and believe each local authority, through consultation with the residents, should be given the opportunity to decide what form of local government best suits that particular community.