Northumberland County Council's Conservative administration has been accused of secrecy over its upcoming budget.
Former council boss and Liberal Democrat leader Coun Jeff Reid made the comments at Wednesday's meeting of the county council while discussing the latest findings of the independent challenge board.
The budget is due to be presented to full council next month, but during meetings over the last two weeks around the county some opposition members have expressed disappointment at the lack of openness from the administration.
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The challenge board is headed up by former Newcastle City Council chief executive Pat Ritchie, and was set up to be a "critical friend" following the publication of the damning Max Caller report into governance at the council last summer.
The report stated that it was "clear from all" the people at the council the board engaged with that there is a "passion for Northumberland" and a "clear determination to improve governance and behaviour" to "get back to being focused on doing the very best for Northumberland's residents, businesses, and visitors".
Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, Coun Reid said: "Lets hope that, in September or October this year, some of us get asked to come in and go and have a frank discussion about the budget, instead of being told 'I can't tell you that, it's a secret, its not in the public domain yet.'
"This is not the public domain. This is the arena where elected people who the community trust to come here to debate things about what is best for the people out there. Having secrets is not a good thing."
Labour leader Scott Dickinson also called for more cross-party working. The Conservatives are the largest party on the council but are one short of an overall majority.
Coun Dickinson said: "The report talks about cross-party working on design and and I think that could be improved. It talks about member behaviour and there's still work to be done.
"There's no doubt there has been progress and we need to celebrate that progress we have made together. I hope the areas for improvement are listened to and taken on board and a more trusting and open relationship can continue."
Coun Dickinson was not the only one to point out the progress made by the council since the Caller report. Council leader Glen Sanderson had earlier said: "I'm grateful to the challenge board and I think we're making fantastic progress."
Conservative councillor Gordon Castle, who represents the Alnwick ward, said the council had become a nicer place to work since the publication of the Caller report and the arrival of the challenge board.
He said: "I've been a councillor for 18 years and the last couple of years have been extremely difficult - but things are improving. We've got to say well done to Glen.
"I wasn't sure at the start if he could handle it - I wasn't sure if anybody could - but he's done a good job. I used to dread coming to these meetings, it's not like that now, it's got better.
"There have been ups and downs over the years, but we're going in the right direction."
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