Legal procedure relating to closed session

Question

Last item on latest parish council agenda - as written below. Nothing is given to the reason why. Should there be ?

CLOSED SESSION. Pursuant to the of Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, members of the public and press are excluded from this section of the meeting.

Answer 1

There should be at least one more agenda item after that one, which will be transacted in the closed session.  Otherwise all the council could do is resolve to go into closed session with no further agenda items to discuss.

Comments

Thank you for the answer.
No there are no agenda items after the Closed session.

Answer 2

Agree with lawcruncher.  There should be a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public and press (not just a statement to that effect) which includes the grounds on which that resolution is being proposed.  Then one or more agenda items (often expressed in vague terms) but something like "staffing matters" or "to consider contract terms for X" or something similar.  It is also important to note that whilst the discussion is confidential, the decision isn't so there should be a record of the decision although if it is an ongoing matter, the minute can often be a bit vague too.

Comments

Meeting held there was no mention of closing the meeting, public asked to leave.
Minutes show "Matters of a sensitive and confidential nature were discussed."

No mention of a follow on to the matter that was discussed , perhaps there doesn't
have to be?

Answer 3

without a vote to go into confidential session, it's unlawful. there should also be agenda item(s) publicly listed so that the public can see what is to be considered in in the confidential session. the published agenda should not reveal confidential info, and there are limited criteria for what should be confidential. as it stands, it looks like the council is having an unlawful and secret discussion.