Behind closed doors, shit happens.
On Wednesday 24 Feb at 5pm 9 Tory Cllrs and a number of SDC Officers will seat themselves in the Civic Centre Chamber and discuss Oportunitas Ltd and Hythe Town Green Covenant behind closed doors.
Oportunitas Ltd has over eight hundred thousand pounds worth of debt and remunerates Cllrs for being Directors on top of their allowances and expenses. By virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, we the public are excluded from the meeting.
Also they will discuss – behind closed doors –
The land at The Green, Hythe – restrictive covenant
Report C/15/80 provides an update on the issues relating to the restrictive covenant on the land at The Green, Hythe following the Cabinet resolution on 4th November 2015 (minute 27)
Hythe Green is another area of potential development, which the people of Hythe have are opposed to as the reports in the local papers have made evidently clear. A lot of people are truly concerned about this matter, but yet again the Council have decided to discuss this behind closed doors. Surely it is in the Public Interest to hear what will be discussed?
The following day, the 25th Feb 2015 at 2pm in the Boulogne Room 5 Cllrs 4 Tory and 1 UKIP will meet to discuss – behind closed doors – by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972
2016/17 Pay Award and the longer term pay structure review
The Head of Human Resources( Andrina Smith ) will give a presentation on the 2016/17 Pay Award and the longer term pay structure review. Copies of the presentation will be tabled at the meeting.
This will be done behind closed doors and we know Alistair Stewart gave himself a 3.2% pay rise in 14/15 according to SDC Accounts. Now Senior Salaries must be published but when you go to SDC’s website nothing is there, Look For Yourself .
Is doing things behind closed doors the appropriate way to engage and participate with US the residents of Shepway?
Is it:
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Transparent?
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Accountable?
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Promoting Public Understanding
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Securing the best use of public resources
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Dispelling Suspicion of Wrongdoing?
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Good decision making?
I intend to be present at this meeting but expect to learn little new. I would have liked to learn facts behind the issues to be discussed ‘Behind closed doors’ but, like yourselves, will be excluded.
None of the issues appear to be legally contentious or should reflect badly on Council. Why are we public excluded? Obviously there is something we don’t know (Yet). All will become apparent once the moles have given voice.
Will the Herald publish?, not unless it includes a cat being stuck up a tree.