THIS has been the week in which the Government appeared to be listening to the heartbeat of local life. First of all, plans to help the struggling post offices were announced. Then yesterday declining market towns were thrown a lifeline. And now mounting public pressure has led to a U-turn on the new-style council cabinets in local government.

The Government's initial proposals to let local councils make vital decisions behind closed doors caused an outcry. The anger expressed by newspapers, and by others interested in openness and accountability, arose for the simple reason that this arrogant proposal would have let local councillors discuss important issues away from the watchful eyes of the press and the public.

As the decisions councillors take can often have a considerable impact on those they serve - and never forget that councillors are there for the people - it would clearly be wrong if such discussions were ever to take place in private. Public matters should always be open to public scrutiny. That is the only proper way for local democracy to proceed.

The surprise climb-down was announced yesterday by Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong, who effectively admitted that the Government had changed its mind, saying: "I much prefer taking the brickbats for taking public consultation seriously."

The Minister is to be applauded for her honesty. If a U-turn is so obviously needed, a U-turn is the sensible move to make. The concession from the Government is timely as it comes only days before the Local Government Bill returns for a full debate in the House of Commons.

Here in York, there were strong fears that the new-style form of cabinet government would lead to a closed elite controlling all political debate in the city. Yet the grim spectre of government behind closed doors disappeared as City of York Council pledged that the new system would be fully open to the public.

On this matter, our local council appears to have been ahead of the Government, and this far-sightedness is to be welcomed. But let no one forget that all important matters must always be discussed in public.