THE accusations by councillors Chivers and Osborn in the Journal (“Councillors upset by secret papers”, January 15) is disingenuous to say the least.
Councillors and members of the public have access to all agenda papers except when deemed to be exempt on the grounds of confidentiality – for example, when dealing with alleged breaches of the code of conduct by county, town or parish elected members.
Both complainants are long-serving members of Wiltshire Council, and its forerunner the county council, and by now should understand the protocol.
In fact the subject was discussed at the last meeting of the Standards Committee, of which Mr Chivers is a member but failed to attend. Minutes are available on the website.
The Standards Review Sub-Committee to which Messrs Chivers and Osborn allude is a small panel of three cross-party members.
Their own Independent group leader was one of the panel members on the day.
The sub-committee acts impartially and does not “make decisions on behalf of the ruling group”.
It is only right that personal information relating to individuals is treated with confidentiality and only disclosed to other councillors on a “need-to-know” basis.
Wiltshire takes pride in promoting open and transparent local government and few councils, to my knowledge, give so much freedom in encouraging the public to attend and ask questions at cabinet and other council meetings.
Can we have more about accuracy and less about secrecy from Cllrs Chivers and Osborn in future?
Julian Johnson
Wiltshire Councillor and chairman of the Standards Committee Salisbury
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