At special council meeting at Rutland County Council last night.
Former CEO of Rutland County Council Helen Briggs
Conservative Cllr Kenneth Bool Says Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs Signed A Memorandum of Understanding with The MOD four years ago, which was kept secret from 24 out of 26 Councillor for an entire year.
Conservative Rutland County Councillor Kenneth Bool
When the councils monitoring officer advised the meeting should should go into exempt he said.
"If we go into excluded now, we started out in secrecy and we are ending in secrecy and I have to say this makes me and the general public wonder, what else there is to hide".
"There is a dark shadow over this project. This is a matter that affects everyone in Rutland and I can't see why residents can't hear their elected representatives discussing this."
"We can do so in a manner that adheres to our obligations and of the none disclosure agreement, transparency is important in a democracy, so that those in power are held to account for the common good. Let us therefore be open and transparent with those who put us in office. We should remain in the public domain."
Conservative Rutland County Councillor Kenneth Bool
The Chairman of the Council Edward Baines said he agreed with Cllr Bools comments about the previous leader of the council and he went on to describe the previous leader as arrogant and that they behaved as if they had powers of an elected mayor rather than the leader of this elected council.
(as Mr Bool did not speak about any former leader of the council it is not clear if Cllr Baines was referring to a former leader of the former CEO some on social media have decided he was referring to the former CEO)
Edward Baines stated all that is in the past, is he not forgetting he has been a large part of that past? I do hope the man who refuses to move into the modern world and even use basics such as email steps down at the next election.
Fifteen councillors voted to continue the meeting in private. Twelve others voted against.
Rutland County Cllrs voted against accepting the HIF grant. 13 against, 12 for and 2 abstentions
What next?
There has been some discussion on social media this morning
Conservative Councillor Nick Begy said, the outlook is bleak. We have lost control on the development and now greenfield sites in our villages are in danger.
Councillor Ian Razzell Conservative Rutland County Council
Conservative Councillor Ian Razzell said, there are some who need to hang their heads in shame. Banging on about their community and failing to represent them at countless meetings. I hope they are able to explain to their community why green fields will now be torn up to build on.
