Sir, – I am somewhat surprised that Anne Skeoch, as the former chair of the governors of Richmond School, was not already aware of the secrecy endemic in local government. (D&S Times, Feb 27).

On February 25, the House of Commons debated MPs’ second jobs. During the debate the Leader of the House, our local MP William Hague, said that transparency is essential in a democracy. I agree with him.

Why then is local government hereabouts so opaque? Not only the county council, at whose hands Ann Skeoch, her fellow governors and the wider public suffered, but also district and parish councils.

When I complained to Hambleton council some time ago about a senior councillor I was sent formal documentation warning me the matter must be treated as confidential. The investigating officer from Richmondshire council went further and told me that disclosure of information gathered during his investigation or included in his report was prohibited and could constitute a criminal offence. I complied with these restrictions and revealed nothing.

Unfortunately the senior councillor concerned did not comply and quoted alleged contents of the report to one of your reporters. What he "quoted" was not even in the report. When I complained again I was subjected to the same restrictions.

But recent correspondence with the Department of Communities and Local Government has revealed they are "not familiar with legislation which prevents the divulging of information from an investigating officer’s report" and "the legislation was created to protect personal information and not to prevent transparency". Clearly I was misled. I wonder why?

The councillor concerned repeatedly asserted that these matters should be decided not at complaints hearings but at the ballot box. But how can that be if voters are deprived of the truth as a result of improper restrictions and repeated want of transparency?

The people of Richmond were similarly deprived of the truth about what happened at Richmond School. I am currently having problems with Northallerton Town Council where secrecy is also the order of the day.

Mr Hague was undoubtedly right. This absence of transparency at all levels in local government is not only not democratic but thoroughly undesirable.

DAVID SEVERS

Trinity Gardens, Northallerton.