A LABOUR councillor has slammed Torfaen council's Cabinet system as "undemocratic".

As the council begins a consultation on options for the future of local government in Torfaen, St Dial's ward member Kath Edmunds claimed the current decision-making process was remote, with just a handful of people effectively running the borough.

A newsletter sent to every home outlines four options offered by central government for the modernisation of the system.

All four options will result in a consolidation of decision-making power in the hands of a smaller number of councillors than was the case under the old committee system.

The option preferred by Torfaen council is that of a leader elected by the whole council and a Cabinet of members chosen by the leader.

That has been operated on trial for the past two years.

But Councillor Edmunds says she is now disillusioned by the level of service that had so far provided.

Calling the Cabinet system "remote and undemocratic" she said: "As an elected body we are collectively responsible and should all have a part to play in decision-making."

Her comments echoed those made by Upper Cwmbran councillor John Cunningham who resigned from the Cabinet in January, after calling the system "undemocratic".

Council leader Brian Smith defended the changes and said people who criticised them didn't understand the failings of the committee system they were designed to replace.

He said: "I can understand the frustration of people who don't understand the way the old committee system worked."

He claimed the new system made members more accountable for the decisions they made and made the decision-making process quicker.

"From May next year (when the new system is to be officially adopted) it will be totally clear who is responsible for decisions," he added.

The changes are a result of the Local Government Act 2000 which requires all principal councils to introduce new management structures.

The council is currently asking people to look at the systems on offer and to write to them indicating which they would prefer. They will hold a number of roadshows throughout the borough during the winter to give people the information they need to decide.