Meeting before parish council meeting

Question

For some reason our parish councillors have dedided to have a meeting in one of their houses to discuss issues prior to the proper parish council meeting

Is this good governance/allowed or is it predetermination of sorts?

Answer 1

Absolutely not allowed!
All council meetings have to be held in public unless they fall under one of the four exceptions where meetings can be closed.  But they still have to be advertised applying the 3 clear working days rule.

All council meetings have to be held in a public building and not a private home.  So in theory, you have a right to attend this meeting and sit on the sofa listening.  If they refuse you admission, then that's illegal.

There is nothing in your question that is legal.  Simple as that.

Comments

It is allowed. Anyone can hold a social gathering or group discussion if they so wish, and in their own house. The point is that this meeting would not be a parish council meeting, could not be properly minuted and would carry no legal weight whatever. It could be denounced as a deliberate attempt at predetermination, but on what grounds? We still enjoy free speech and have no powers to stop councillors from talking to each other between meetings. How would that be possible? But I agree, it could be construed as bad practice bringing the council into disrepute, and as such should be discouraged. And why would any decent council want to discuss things in private? On the other hand, get-togethers of residents to discuss an issue, a protest, and/or tactics is a very good idea. But again, it should not be necessary in a decently run parish council that is not at loggerheads with its tax paying residents, as so many so to be.