AN INDEPENDENT councillor has called on the government to stop seven North-East councils holding “secret meetings” to discuss the future of the region’s biggest airport.

The “LA7”, comprising Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland councils, hold a 51 per cent stake in Newcastle International Airport, which carries six million passengers a year.

All have called special and simultaneous meetings of their decision-making cabinets today to discuss a possible refinancing of the airport.

However, all are expected to pass resolutions to exclude the public, media and councillors outside the cabinet.

John Shuttleworth, an independent member of Durham County Council, has written to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking him to intervene.

He wrote: “This cannot be legal, proper and most certainly is not democratic. There is no way that ‘secret meetings’ should take place when discussing council tax payers’ monies.”

Later, he added: “We’re not being open, transparent or honest. It’s like the Kremlin.”

Coun Reg Ord, an independent councillor and audit committee member, said the committee had asked questions about the council’s stake in the airport which had not yet been answered and he was concerned the cabinet would take a decision without consulting it first.

However, a spokesman for the LA7 said the matters being discussed, the refinancing of the airport, future partnering arrangements and related shareholder matters, were highly commercially sensitive.

He continued: “Disclosure of those details could prejudice the refinancing and new partnership processes.”

It is thought the LA7 could make an announcement on the matters as early as today or tomorrow.

Earlier this month, the airport lost a high court battle over claims two directors were allowed to negotiate themselves millions of pounds in bonus payments.

John Parkin and the late Lars Friis got £8m between them after securing an airport refinancing deal in 2006.

The airport claimed lawyers Eversheds should not have taken instructions from the men about their own contracts.

However, a judge ruled airport bosses failed to properly scrutinise the contracts and the law firm was not at fault.

Coun Shuttleworth’s letter is expected to reach Mr Pickles’ office this morning.

On Monday, the airport was crowned Best UK Airport at the Airport Operators Association Awards ceremony for a record fourth consecutive year.