A VETERAN councillor has called upon borough chiefs to reshape its new structure drastically in the name of democracy.

Garry Huntington, a Liberal Democrat member of Sedgefield Borough Council, believes changes made under local government reforms prevent him from representing his electorate adequately.

The ward member for Byerley and Auckland Terrace, Shildon, sits on one of three scrutiny committees, each of which has its own areas, such as housing, to oversee.

But, although he is allowed to sit in on the other two committees, he said he could not ask questions at those meetings and had to discuss issues behind closed doors with council officers.

"There could be things in my area that could come up that would be of interest to my population and I may not be able to ask questions," said Coun Huntington.

"I can only ask questions on the scrutiny committee of which I'm a member. Whilst I can go privately to the officers and ask questions, I can't ask them when the press and public are there. It's not allowing me to represent my members properly.

"I believe that that is against the principle of democracy."

Coun Huntington has written to the council's management committee asking it to consider changing the system into a one-scrutiny group structure, where all councillors can have an input into all aspects of life in the borough.

He has also asked for a change in the development committee system, which deals with planning issues.

Under changes made at the same time that the scrutiny committees were implemented, the development system was altered, giving fewer councillors a vote on planning applications.

"Only virtually half the members of the authority can vote on planning matters," Coun Huntington said.

"I think all members of the council should have the final vote on planning matters."

A spokesman for the council said that the structure was changeable.

"The council's new political management structure was established after consideration of all available advice and guidance issued by the Government," he said.

"The new structure has only been in operation since May 26 this year and is seen very much as an interim and experimental measure, which will evolve and change in the light of experience and the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000."