Park's reputation committee bans the public (From Western Telegraph)

Park's reputation committee bans the public

6:24pm Monday 3rd March 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

A committee set up to restore faith in the National Park Authority following recent controversy banished the public and press from a meeting today.

Authority members attended a meeting of the newly formed Investigation and Reputation committee on Monday afternoon, but opted to remove members of the public before getting down to business.

Cllr Michael Williams was the sole member who voted to allow the public to view the proceedings at the meeting.

He said: "Public perception of this authority is so appalling at the moment, we can only make it worse if we discuss this in camera.

"I am not happy about this. The Monitoring Officer's report was a public document, and the staffing matters have been dealt with. We have now gone beyond that."

Cllr John Griffiths said documents had been sent to the committee in confidence, and members would be unable to discuss them properly if the public was allowed to be present.

Dr Ruth Williams, who chaired the meeting at the Memorial Hall, Newport, said: "We will report back to our April meeting in full public view."

The committee was set up in the wake of a damning report by the Monitoring Officer, who conducted an urgent investigation into the purchase of the Qinetiq building, East Blockhouse, Angle.

The concept of the committee was branded radical by the Authority, and described as a "decisive and unprecedented step" by Chairman Cllr Simon Hancock.

It aimed to examine all aspects of the controversial case, and make recommendations.

The Park's asset management committee, of which Gary Meopham was a member, decided not to buy the land and buildings, but it was then bought by Mr Meopham and members of his family.

Mr Meopham was disciplined with a final written warning as a result of the report's findings.

What do you think about the meeting being held in private?

Leave your comments below.

• Print
• Email
• Share