Next month Oxfordshire County Council will elect a new leader.

But that vote, the debates ahead of it and, perhaps, the names of those involved, will not be open to the county’s residents.

Instead, the decision, with huge implications for all of us, will be made behind closed doors.

The election of the Conservative group leader is a matter for Tory councillors only.

But we implore those standing to be open and keep residents well informed of their intentions, motivations and plans. After all, they are public servants elected to represent residents, and the leadership of the county council is a matter of significant public interest.

Whoever wins will take control of a council with responsibilities such as adult social care, the fire service, roads maintenance, children’s services and, to an increasingly diminished extent, education.

It decides how to spend more than £1bn of your money each year.

Whoever takes over does so during an unprecedented economic storm for local government.

County Hall must make savings of £119m over four years.

The public has a right to be well informed of who could win the vote.

If this were Westminster, there would be growing clamour for a General Election – but this is local government and voters will have to wait until next year to have a say.