Councillor left frustrated with 'secrecy' over Council business

A local councillor has said the public are losing trust in their Council over the amount of business conducted in secret.

An exasperated Alderman Norman Hillis made the claim at Tuesday's meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

Councillors were due to discuss a notice of motion tabled by Alderman Hillis asking a number of questions about the sale of the Dunluce Centre in Portrush.

With the item marked for 'confidential consideration', Chair Cllr Cara McShane asked for a proposer and seconder for the meeting to move into 'committee' – excluding the press and the public.

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However, Alderman Hillis questioned the move.

“I can understand if there was staff or things like that being discussed, but it's hardly a secret; those first two items,” he said.

“I am concerned that if we do a whole lot of our business in secret about things as simple as those first two questions, it is no wonder the public don't have a high regard for our Council.

“I just would like to go on the record that I object to this being held in committee – particularly the first two items – when there is no need.

“The next thing is if we're going to clear a gutter down at the Dunluce Centre we'll have to put it into committee; and they badly need cleaned by the way.”

Alderman Norman Hillis

Cllr Darryl Wilson asked if it was a committee decision whether or not to hear items in confidential consideration.

The committee then opted to vote on whether or not to hear the item in secret, with members voting to do so.

Members of the press and public were then removed from the meeting.