Can members of the public attend extraordinary meeting.

Question

Can members of public attend extraordinary meetings

Answer 1

Most definitely - the public are entitled to attend all meetings of a council and its committees.

If a council wants to exclude the public for certain items, an explicit motion must be put forward and agreed by the council.  The motion should give the reason for exclusion, such as the need to discuss matters whose publication would breach an obligation of confidentiality.

Obviously the reason given does not have to be so detailed as to give away confidential information, but it should state the nature of the reason for exclusion.  Other possible reasons include matters where publication would damage the council's commercial negotations or the need to discuss an unresolved law case.

At any time the council has not passed a motion to exclude the public, then they are fully entitled to be present.  And indeed should be encouraged to attend!