SELL-out concerts we're used to. But ticket-only public access to one of the most important council meetings in recent years? That's something new.

The question of where to put York's new Arc Light centre for the homeless is one of the most sensitive to have faced this city.

Last year, the council's secretive handling of the issue sparked public fury.

Plans to use the former Shipton Street school only became public after they were leaked. More than 2,000 people subsequently signed petitions and hundreds attended public meetings, united in their opposition. The plans were ditched, and the council seemed to have learned its lesson. This year it launched a major consultation, asking York people for their views on all 36 possible sites being considered. It would be a "fair and open process", pledged council leader Steve Galloway.

By and large it has been. With the help of the York public, those 36 sites have been whittled down to four - car parks in Marygate, Nunnery Lane and Union Terrace and the former Reynards building in Piccadilly.

It would be a blow to local democracy if the council did not see its pledge through.

Only seven councillors, all members of the ruling Liberal Democrat executive, will decide where Arc Light is to go. Normally council officers - non-political public servants - would make a recommendation. That will not be the case here.

Public access to the crucial May 2 meeting at the Guildhall will be limited to 60 people - and will be ticket-only.

York needs a new Arc Light - but it must be in the right place. Residents living near the four potential sites have the right to their say. If the problem is the Guildhall's size, then councillors should seek a bigger venue.

If they are simply frightened of facing too many people, however, then they should get over it. That's democracy.

Updated: 10:25 Thursday, April 20, 2006