Concerns of a “culture” of confidential democracy at a NI council have been raised as almost two hours of secret debate is condensed into four minutes of public audio.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) strategy, policy and resources committee (March 12) approved major updates on capital projects including the new city public park and theatre.
However, those items and seven others were discussed behind closed doors away from the public and the media with only a ‘Women’s Working Group’ document for noting dealt with in open session.
In chambers Slieve Gullion SDLP councillor Pete Byrne said: “Over the last number of years we have raised concerns about the number of items in confidential session, the reason is for transparency to the public, that what is discussed in closed session can filter out to the public.
“In 2023, it was proposed that the body of papers would be kept in open session.
“I can recognise that some of these papers with financial details need to be in confidential session, but can I ask the CEO, that when we get to recommendations of what the chair can read out that notifies the public of what we discussed, they are as detailed as possible.
“I know that the chief executive did come back and change some of the recommendations the last time I raised this.
“But the recommendations that I am reading here, mean nothing to the public and we need to be clear what was being discussed.”
An audio recording of open session discussion was released by the council following the meeting, which ran from 6.15pm to approx 8pm.
The local authority released almost 12 minutes for the public to listen to.
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal that at 7mins in the chamber went into confidential session, leaving just 4mins for the chairperson to summarise approvals with minimal details to the public.
Councillor Byrne added: “I would just keep in mind that the Local Government Act clause does say that if the interest of the public outweighs that of going into closed session we can remain open.
“It’s just there is a culture that is out there that decisions are being made behind closed doors and I want us to be as transparent as we can going forward.”
Rowallane DUP councillor Callum Bowsie added: “At the last audit committee the CEO will know that I asked about that clause and she said that there would be legal advice at the next SPR.
“Two SPR meetings have now passed and that legal advice has not been presented.”
Many agenda items at committees in Northern Ireland’s 11 council districts continue to remain in confidential session 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.
CEO Marie Ward said: “I would just reiterate that it is just sometimes the way it falls unfortunately, a lot the papers fall into confidential.
“I have said that I will endeavour to make as much public as possible when we are reading out at the end of closed session and will continue to review
“We are keen for the public to understand what has happened in closed session, but we do have to protect the financial interest of other bodies.”
However, in the same week, NMDDC held its economy, regeneration, and tourism committee (9 March) with every paper on the agenda also falling into confidential session.
SPR committee chairperson Oonagh Hanlon (Sinn Fein) told the chamber that officers would consider presenting legal advice at the next SPR meeting.
