Issue - meetings

To resolve that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

The Chairperson moved the proposal to exclude the public and press as set out on the agenda and this was duly seconded.

Councillor A S Fluker referred Members to and quoted a guidance note from the Monitoring Officer on Committee processes. He questioned why the following reports were due to be considered in private session in respect of the reason for exemption applied and whether consideration had been given to the public interest test. In response to a further question, it was confirmed that both reports had been considered by the Monitoring Officer prior to being brought to the Council.

Following lengthy discussion, Councillor Fluker advised he was still uncomfortable and asked the Chairperson to consider deferring the following items of business. This was not considered.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor A S Fluker requested a recorded vote. 

The Chairperson confirmed that this vote related only to Agenda Item 13 – Funding Request – Council Offices, Princes Road and he would consider Agenda Item 14 separately. A vote was then taken, and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, J Driver, A Fittock, A M Lay, R G Pratt, N D Spenceley, W Stamp and M E Thompson.

Against the recommendation:

Councillor A S Fluker.

Abstention:

Councillors M F L Durham and K M H Lagan.

It was therefore RESOLVED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.