MID Devon District Council has upset members of the Campaign for Local Democracy in Mid Devon by kicking off its working group on the way the council is governed in total secrecy.

The campaign began last April after several complaints about the lack of democracy in the structure used in the Council, known as the Strong Leader and Cabinet model.

The local elections last May resulted in control of the District Council switching from the Conservatives to a Lib Dem/Independent authority, after the Conservatives declined to be part of the new Cabinet.

The Campaign group agreed to allow the new Council time to settle in and, after several debates in Cabinet, on January 8, the full council agreed to carry out a comprehensive review of governance.

The Council agreed that a politically balanced Working Group of 12 councillors be established and in answer to questions put by Crediton Alderman David Nation, it was stated that there was no reason why the group should not hold its meetings in public.

When the Campaign Group had heard nothing about when the Working Group would meet, enquiries were made and it was learned that the group had met on January 27, in private.

Members were instructed not to discuss in public what was said in the group but an announcement on social media has revealed that the group will now attend a workshop facilitated by the Local Government Association.

Nothing has yet appeared on the Council’s website and the campaign group has been informed by officers that the planned workshop will also be in private and the pubic will not be able to attend even to observe.

Member of the campaign group, Mrs Judy Tucker, said: "This is an issue that concerns every man, woman and child in Mid Devon in the many aspects of their lives affected by the District Council so to attempt to deal with it in secrecy is totally inappropriate, not to mention ridiculous."

Alderman Nation said: "I am disgusted at the approach being taken by the Council.

"The new leader announced early on that he was determined to run an open and inclusive council but the council is now doing the precise opposite.

"What have they got to hide?

"This subject is all about gaining the confidence of the public and ensuring that the council is responsive to their feelings and wishes.

"Unless the public is kept fully involved, there are bound to be suspicions that councillors will make decisions without taking into account public opinion. This is so unnecessary and could easily be avoided."

The Campaign Group has written to the Council Leader asking him to reconsider, hold the meetings in public and involve the group in the workshop.