Minutes:
Motion- That under Section 100(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 Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.
The Sub-Committee considered whether the remaining items of business should be considered in closed session following an exclusion of the press and public in accordance with the Local Government Act. Members considered whether it was in the public interest to apply an exemption on the grounds that the remaining business (principally item 8) concerned information relating to an individual (paragraph 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act). It was noted that whilst the decision notice would naturally be published in the public domain, the evidence and associated papers relevant to the complaint before Members had thus far been exempt under paragraph 1.
The Sub-Committee considered representations from the Complainant and the Respondent and, on the grounds that they had no objections and the that public interest in relation to the conduct of a holder of public office outweighed the possibility for maintaining the exemption, following a brief adjournment it was AGREED that Item 8 of the agenda (Complaint by LM against JC – Points of clarification) would be considered in public session and all relevant documentation would be made publicly accessible.
Resolved unanimously:- That the motion to exclude the press and public be not approved.