Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has raised her concerns over the Executive Bodies of many Local Authorities in Wales excluding the press and public from meetings.

Local Authorities are able to exclude the press and public under the Local Government Act 1972.

The use of this act by Local Authorities varies considerably across Wales with some Executives  going into private session just once over a year period for part of a meeting, whilst one authority, Wrexham, went into private session for every meeting.

Janet Finch-Saunders said: “There are times when a cabinet finds its is necessary to exclude the press and public for very justifiable reasons.

“Local authorities across Wales all have the same duty to apply the act when absolutely  necessary so those that frequently make use of this power need to explain themselves.

“Here in Conwy, 10 out of 59 elected councillors make a considerable number of decisions for the authority. I am deeply concerned that in 71% of cabinet meetings they chose to exclude the press and public over a twelve month period.

“I call on the Minister to provide clear guidance on this issue”

Notes to editors:
From Local Authority Meeting Minutes and Requests for information.