Can the clerk refuse to provde councillors wth an electronic version of a contract issued to a contractor?

Question

Our clerk has refused to send me (or any other councillor) a copy of the contract issued to a contractor, which is now being disputed. It was initially read out at a meeting, and made available to read at a second meeting, but I have not been able to read it in my own time. As a councillor, I would have thought that as the contract was issued on my behalf that I should be able to read it in my own time. The clerk seems to think that its not safe to send it to my own private email address. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

If the contract is being disputed, then you as a councillor have the right to see the contract.  The dispute is against the Parish Council as a whole and in order to act, Councillors need to have full facts.  I cannot see a legitimate reason for the Clerk to withhold this document, especially if you are looking at potential litigation.
Generally, councillors are entitled to see documents if they have a legitimate need to know.  But I think this is definitely the case here!

Answer 2

If his/her fears about it being hacked by E mail were genuine and warrented, and he/she was competent, it could put it on a memory stick and posted it through your letter box. Or E mailed as a password protected zip file, with a phone call o let you know what the ZIp password is .

It strikes me the Clerk has something to hide.  How much confidential or exempt information does it actually contain anyway?