The meeting focused on the council's response to an appeal going to a public inquiry. There was a discussion about the need for transparency versus the necessity of holding certain discussions in private to protect the council's position.

Appeal Response and Transparency

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the council's response to an appeal that is set to go to a public inquiry. One member expressed concern about the lack of transparency, arguing that the public should be allowed to hear the discussion. They said, I think we need to be transparent and I can't for the life of me, except it says some exempt information, understand why we're trying to avoid the public.

In response, another member clarified that discussing the council's strategy in public would not be in the best interest of the council or its constituents. They explained, When the council is considering its response to an appeal that is going to a public inquiry and discussing the nature of that response, it has to be held in private because we would be giving the other side, if you like, the appellant, our grounds for our arguments.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The council then moved to exclude the press and public from the meeting under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. This was to prevent the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in part one of schedule 12A of the Act. The motion to exclude the public was passed unanimously.