HBS Commercial Secrecy

3.16.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 11th Aug 2005

Secrecy Decends On County Hall Over HBS Discussions

Last week, at a very early 8.30am Executive Meeting, the Tory-run County Council closed its doors to the press and public for the second time since starting its new term in May.

Liberal Democrat County Councillors have been banned from speaking about the mediation between the County Council and HBS due to 'commercial sensitivity'.

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Peter Blaine, interviewed this week on local radio said 'We are 4 years into a 12 year politically driven contract; our main worry is the financial effect this will have on all council tax payers'

County Councillor Susan Gaszczak commented, 'I'm surprised the Tories haven't realised yet what was all to obvious to the government inspectors who have twice found them to be the worst run County Council in the country - that they are incapable of running the County Council on their own. This bunker mentality is not going to help them tackle the problems that have grown since they took sole control of the County Council 8 years ago.'

Councillors are elected to communicate with our electorate - but the secrecy surrounding these meetings means councillors are unable to communicate the changes that directly affect the residents of the county.

Councillor Gaszczak went on to say 'I hope we have seen the last of these secret meetings and I hope that the cost to council tax payers will be kept to a minimum. However, with no budget for 'negotiations', you are left wondering where the finances are coming from. Especially in light of the £4.5million already paid out of the county's reserves of £7.6million for the financial recovery of the County before the HBS situation arose.'

ENDS