Cross-party review proves Lib Dem fears

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Jun 2004

A cross party report which looked at how Welsh councils operate has backed Welsh Liberal Democrat fears that cabinet government would lead to less openness.

The Local Government and Public Services Committee report, entitled The Operation of New Political Management Structures in Local Government, recommends urgent action to lift the veil of secrecy that covers many of our town halls.

Mike German, leader of the Assembly group and Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesman on Local Government said: "From the moment they were introduced we had our concerns that the shake up of local government would lead to greater secrecy. This cross-party report shows we were right.

"It is vital now that the Labour Assembly Government takes urgent action to ensure that scrutiny committees are given a more independent role. The best decisions are made when there is an open discussion of the issues. Council cabinets must not be allowed to cut the councillors and the public out of the decision making process."

During plenary debate on Tuesday Mr German will call on the Welsh Assembly Government to give local authorities the freedom to reform their scrutiny arrangements.