Issue - meetings

To consider a report on rights of access for Members to Part II and confidential reports.

The Committee considered a report on Members’ rights of access to exempt and confidential reports which recommended how the Council’s approach could be reflected in the Constitution.

The suggested approach would enable certain categories of Members to have access to exempt and confidential reports whilst other Members would be required to demonstrate to the Borough Solicitor that they had a ‘need to know’ in order to carry out their duties as a Councillor. Where a report contained specific information about an Officer, only the members of the body in question would receive the report.

Whilst the proposals widened the categories of Members who could automatically receive exempt and confidential reports, the Committee had a number of concerns about the proposals in their present form.

RESOLVED

That the matter be deferred for further consideration in the light of Members’ concerns and a further report be submitted in due course.