“It is disappointing that the press are reporting what they are saying, which is a breach of yet another item which was discussed in this chamber in confidential.”
An Alliance councillor has called for a Lagan Valley council source “to stop” leaking confidential information to the press.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service recently published an understanding that Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council could strike a rate increase of 4.6%.
This was after a confidential meeting held at Lagan Valley Island civic centre away from public and media view.
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This week in chambers, Castlereagh East councillor Martin Gregg said: “It is disappointing that the press are reporting what they are saying, which is a breach of yet another item which was discussed in this chamber in confidential.
“Alliance has always championed openness and transparency, but we recognise that some things should be discussed in confidential and remain in confidential until published by council.”
Many agenda items at committees in Northern Ireland’s 11 council districts continue to remain in confidential sessions due to legal advice on financial matters.
Media and members of the public are frequently requested to leave council chambers as councillors vote to move a meeting into a confidential session.
The reasoning for closing the doors to the public is quoted in chambers “due to containing information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the council holding that information)” being discussed.
Councillor Gregg added: “Councillors need to take confidential business seriously. Those who are breaching confidential business are in breach of standing orders.
“They are breaking the code of conduct and their duty as a councillor. They are also costing the ratepayers money, so I don’t know what they think they are going to gain from this.
“I am not sure what else the officers can do given previous investigations that there has been, but we want to put it on record that this has to stop.”
The Alliance elected member confirmed to the LDRS that the story in question was on the rates increase, but did not confirm if the figure was “right or wrong”.
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