Council set to finish its culture of secrecy

A CULTURE of secrecy has been allowed to permeate a Yorkshire council but the clouds could soon be lifted.

Councillors say the lack of the lack of information on Calderdale Council's policies and practices is contrary to the principles of openness and accountability in public life and is having a damaging impact on people's view of the authority.

Members have unanimously agreed to investigate the issue through a cross-party constitutional matters development group, similar to the open government committee.

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The group was set up by council resolution on October 1 and met for the first time last month.

The council agreed this week it should make recommendations on openness, governance and constitutional issues before the end of April so changes can be introduced in May.

Labour group leader Tim Swift said information for councillors and the public seemed to have been stifled by the need for administrative expediency rather than any specific decision. "But the council needs to be clear that it has been heading in the wrong direction and that we want to change."

As well as a review of policies, protocols and procedures for sharing information, Coun Swift has urged the council to publish all questions and answers raised under the Freedom of Information Act and for all spending above an appropriate level to be published. "Decisions are best made when there is open, informed debate," he said.

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Lib Dem group leader Janet Battye (Calder) said: "We are fearful about setting up another working group but the council must look at how it is conducting its business."

Cabinet member Craig Whittaker, (Con), said although he was was in favour of openness there was a need for a degree of privacy otherwise councillors and officers would end up having conversations off the record.

He said: "The last time Calderdale was controlled by by Labour they were so paranoid that portfolio holders would go into directors' offices and open the mail in the morning.''