Should a confidential meeting be announced?

Question

We had a confidential meeting prior to our Full Council meeting.  No public agenda was posted.  The meeting overran delaying the Full Council meeting.  No minutes were published of the confidential meeting.  Is this allowed?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a "confidential meeting",  Notice of all meetings including an agenda must be published even if all of  the items discussed are deemed confidential.    Exclusion of press or public from any agenda item must be ratified by a resolution from full council.

Comments

It wasn't clear why the meeting - requested by the District Council - was deemed to be confidential.  It was largely a rerun of a public presentation made a few days earlier.  No decisions were made.  Cynically I think the District Council like to play "secret squirrel" to keep up their position of power over local affairs.  Because it wasn't part of the meeting we had no opportunity to challenge the decision to make it confidential - as you've, perhaps, implied in your answer.

Answer 2

Probably not. Was there any reason why the confidential matter could not be included in the agenda of the full council meeting, but as a confidential item? Were any decisions made and, if so, how will they be recorded without minutes?

Answer 3

Were all Councillors present at that time? I would be concerned about predetermination.

Answer 4

It sounds like it was a District Council meeting hosted by the parish / town council rather than a formal parish / town council meeting....  If that is the case then the District Councillor should be able to provide minutes or an explanation....