Hipennine -
It's certainly democracy, and it's a certain type of democracy. From my viewpoint Darn Sarf, I would expect every one of the County Durham councils to be Labour-controlled.
If I'm right, the councillors will not only have no experience of commercial management, but they will have spent their time trying to criticise and undermine private enterprise. Just as a Labour Government screwed the country, so Labour Councils are screwing their ratepayers by their incompetence.
Perhaps a few more people in Co. Durham should be voting for parties other than Labour! Democracy would be healthier as a result, so would the councils and their taxpayers.