Demands for public access to the meetings of York's leaders have been defeated.

Liberal Democrat Steve Galloway urged City of York Council to back calls to stop secret executive meetings.

But his motion, put before the full council last night, was beaten by Labour opposition and Conservative abstentions.

It followed revelations, made by council leader Rod Hills to the Evening Press, that some non-decision making executive meetings were not open to the public.

Coun Galloway's motion said: "Council notes with concern the use of council resources to service private meetings of the executive."

But Coun Hills said: "We hold part of our meetings in private, as defined in both the Local Government Act and the accompanying guidance.

"The Act allows the executive to meet in private so long as the matter being discussed is not going to be decided for 28 days.

"We have always held our decision-making meetings in public."

And he turned criticism of wasted resources back on the Liberal Democrats for holding twice-monthly shadow executive meetings.

He said: "What of the council resources absorbed by the shadow executive? The endless papers demanded and prepared?

"That is what we should be noting - the waste of public money in serving the grandiose demands of Coun Galloway and his minions."

Conservative leader John Galvin said he had agreed to give the new executive system a 12-month trial period, and would not vote to change it until that time is up.

Last night's meeting also expressed concern from the Liberal Democrats about the number of chief officer posts that were vacant in York.

Coun Hills said: "I have already instructed the chief officer for organisational development to investigate the situation."

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, April 25, 2001