The West Mercia Police and Crime Panel - Independent Member Appointment Panel was scheduled to consider the shortlisting process for a Lay Independent Co-opted Member. The panel was also scheduled to consider excluding the press and public from this item due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

Lay Independent Co-opted Member Appointment

The panel was scheduled to undertake a shortlisting process for the role of Lay Independent Co-opted Member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel. This role is crucial in providing independent oversight and scrutiny of the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. The report pack indicated that the press and public were recommended to be excluded from this part of the meeting. This recommendation was made under section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that the discussion was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information relating to individuals. The report stated that it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.¹