Issue - meetings
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Meeting: 15/03/2024 - Standards Sub-Committee (Item 23)
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Purpose
For the Sub-Committee to hear any representation and agree whether or not to enter into private session before determining the allegations of breaches of a Town Council Code of Conduct.
If the Sub-Committee wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the Sub-Committee to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The Sub-Committee may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Minutes:
The Chair asked whether anyone present would like to make representations as to whether agenda items 7 and 8 should be taken in public or private session.
The Investigating Officer requested that the Sub-Committee resolve to enter into private session as the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the exempt information, specifically information that could be used identify current and former employees of the Town Council.
The Subject Members’ representative supported the Investigating Officer’s request.
Councillor David Jackson proposed the exclusion of the press and public for the remaining items of business. This proposal was seconded by Councillor David Melvin and was put to a vote which was carried.
The Sub-Committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, with the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighing the public interest in disclosing the exempt information.