Speaking after the DUP, UUP and an independent Councillor voted down Alliance plans to see the audio recording of all Council committee meetings approved, Councillor Kellie Armstrong said the real question now was what exactly they were trying to hide.
“The Alliance Party has attempted to deliver a more honest system to local ratepayers, yet again other parties have taken direct action to block the move.
“At a time when the public’s faith in politicians is at an all-time low, Ards and North down had a real opportunity to send a strong signal that openness and transparency around all decisions is important.
“I really can’t understand why others have willingly acted to keep decisions behind closed doors, and I must wonder what they have to hide that they have moved to keep democratic decisions away from full public scrutiny.
“Alliance will not stand idly by and allow those determined to block progress to succeed and can always be trusted to stand up for the public’s right to know how decisions affecting them are made.
“I look forward to again raising this issue again later this month at the full Council meeting, with those still intent on voting against left to justify their decision to local ratepayers.”