Issue - meetings

AGREED to all recommendations in the confidential report, with one additional recommendation.

Prior to consideration of this item, Councillor Tierney said he wanted to make a general point about confidentiality, having often heard it suggested that there was something corrupt or untoward regarding agenda items going into private session. He believes that the public do not always realise that often there are legal reasons why this must sometimes happen, i.e. for discussions over money matters that affect outside businesses or the contractual way that councils work. However legal advice is always taken before making this decision and doing so is always avoided where possible, but all councils do it as part of a normal process.

Councillor Boden agreed that it is a requirement of the Local Government Act 1972 that certain matters are to be discussed as exempt items, and it would potentially be harmful to the Council and third parties to discuss such matters in public.

Members proceeded to consider the Port Operations report presented by Councillor Boden.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to all recommendations in the confidential report, with one additional recommendation.

(Members resolved to exclude the public for this item of business on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).