THE DECISION:

That Councillor G W Dadd be elected Chairman for duration of the meeting.

(Councillor G W Dadd in the Chair)

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 4 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business at minute no SHP.12 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Panel was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The subject of the decision:

The Panel considered an application from the Town Council Member seeking an adjournment.  The Town Council Member told the Panel that due the hearing starting later than had been anticipated his representative had been unable to stay and that he was not adequately prepared to represent himself. 

Alternative options considered:

The Panel considered whether to continue in the absence of the Town Council Member’s representative however the Panel concluded that to do so would not be in the interests of holding a fair hearing.  

The reason for the decision:

The Panel concluded that, in the interests of holding a fair hearing and to enable the Town Council Member to make appropriate arrangements for his representation or to adequately prepare to represent himself, the meeting would be adjourned.

THE DECISION:

That Panel concluded the matter should be adjourned to a date and time to be confirmed.