The Ross Gazette, and members of the public, have recently voiced concerns about the frequency that members of the press and public are excluded from parts of the Ross Town Council meetings.

At their meeting on Monday, October 10th, the Clerk to the Council read a prepared statement regarding the reasons as to why members of the public and press are excluded.

She said:?“Meetings of the Council and its committees are all open to the public which includes anyone from the press.

“Provision within the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 allows for members of the press and public to be excluded, whether during the whole of the meeting or part of the proceedings, whenever publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

“At the meeting it is necessary for a councillor to move a motion to exclude the public from the meeting during the particular item of business on the agenda. The resolution to exclude does not need to document the precise legal or other reason as to why the public were excluded.

“The resolutions made in closed session will be minuted but will not include confidential or sensitive information.” She then gave some examples of items for discussion which could mean that the council excludes members of the press and the public.

“The consideration of tenders – disclosure of the time sensitive commercial interests of the council and the persons that have tendered is not in the public interest

“Staffing matters – information about an individual member of staff is confidential between the council and its staff member. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 a council has obligations as to how it uses such information about an individual

“To consider professional legal advice – communications between the solicitor and client council which is for the purpose of giving legal advice is protected by legal professional privilege and is therefore confidential. Whilst the legal advice is the property of the council, publicity of it is likely to prejudice the position of the council.

“To progress lease negotiations – the proposed heads of terms for a new lease are subject to contract and publicity would prejudice the ongoing negotiations by the council.

“To progress the purchase of land/property – publicity of a professional survey and purchase price being considered is likely to prejudice the commercial position of the council in making its offer.”

She added:?“The Council has acted properly in carrying out its duties to comply with the Act in taking necessary steps under certain circumstances and in particular conditions to exclude members of the press and public.”

Later in the meeting members of the press, and the only member of the public present, were asked to leave as the Council was receiving a verbal report on outstanding leases in relation to the Market House, Crossfields - Ross Tennis Club, Allotments and the Weather Station.