Released 6th December 2002

Sheffield City Council unlocks its doors and welcomes the Charter88 Code for a more accountable local government.

We are delighted that forward-thinking Sheffield City Council unanimously welcomed in principle the Charter88 Code for Unlocking Democracy yesterday.

The Code sets new standards for openness and accountability within local government, so that the public will have more control over decisions affecting their daily lives.

Karen Bartlett, Director of Charter88 said: "People across this country have been excluded from what goes on in local government and as a result alienated from local politics. Crucial decisions have made behind closed doors for too long. The Charter88 Code for Unlocking Democracy revives the democratic process, and enables councils to open up, which will lead to better relationships with the people who elected them in the first place".

Paul Scriven, Leader of Liberal Democrat group on Sheffield City Council, tabled the motion, which had unanimous cross-party support. "In Sheffield we already have opened up and implemented most of the Charter88 Code, but there are some areas which urgently need attention. Our priority is to open up the quangos, especially as their decisions have far-reaching consequences for local government and public finance".

The Code for Unlocking Democracy includes recommendations that councils:

• scrutinise the performance of local and regional quangos to make them more accountable
• introduce clear lines of accountability for services which are contracted out
• implement the Freedom of Information Act 2000
• involve as many local people as possible in accessible meetings away from town halls
• consult local people and stakeholders on their forward plans
• restrict the practise of exempting reports involving political advice
• ensure that executive decisions by individuals are open and accountable to the public
• publish all papers from public meetings on the internet

Sheffield Council has directed the City's chief legal officer to submit a report within the next four months outlining how Sheffield's political management arrangements compare with the Charter88 recommendations, and how Sheffield's compliance with the Code could improve.

Note for Editors: Charter88 is an independent organisation with over 80,000 supporters. We run national and local campaigns on reform of local government and parliament. For more information and the full text of the Charter88 Code for Unlocking Democracy.